Teens in school bashing won't face any charges

The offenders were led to their target at Lynfield College by another pupil at the school. Photo / Martin Sykes

Eight youths who allegedly stormed an Auckland high school and beat up a student are unlikely to be charged by police.

Three teenagers were referred to Police Youth Services on Monday after a group of youths stormed a classroom in Lynfield College and attacked a pupil.

A further five faced the less serious sanction of being reported to Police Youth Services following the attack about 1pm on Monday.

One of the attackers reportedly yelled out the name of an Afghani youth gang during the attack, which was possibly sparked by comments on the social networking website Bebo.

One Lynfield College student has been suspended following the attack. A number of the others were reportedly from Mt Roskill Grammar, which is considering its stance.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said officers began investigations following the attack on the student, who did not suffer serious injuries but required treatment for cuts and bruises.

" Police located the group - all aged between 14 and 16 - off the school grounds," she said.

"Three have since been referred to Police Youth Services for aggravated assault and for unlawfully being on a property, with a view to holding family group conferences. Five have been reported to Youth Services in relation to the incident."

Ms Hegarty told NZPA that these actions meant police would not be laying any criminal charges against the alleged offenders.

She said the family group conferences could include the alleged offenders, their families and any victims, which could include the school and witnesses.

Police were aware of ethnically-based and geographically-based youth groups in Auckland "but prefer not to elevate their profiles by singling any particular groups out for specific comment".

Lynfield College principal Steve Bovaird said a group of teenagers burst through the door and attacked the pupil in front of other students and their teacher.

Most of the group were understood to be from Mt Roskill Grammar but were led to the victim by a Lynfield student.

A Lynfield College administrator subsequently told NZPA that a Lynfield College student had been suspended following the attack.

Mr Bovaird told Radio New Zealand the victim had not returned to school yet.

He said one of the group had a softball bat but it was unclear whether it was used in attack. The teacher was threatened but not touched.

Video surveillance, which had been given to the police, showed the group of four to five teenagers were on the grounds for only two minutes.

They were not wearing uniforms and did not seem to try to hide their appearances but may not have known about the video surveillance, he said.

Mr Bovaird said staff tried to follow the group to identify them. Some members of the group were recognised.

There were two different ethnicities in the group, he said.

He said schools were grappling with some aspects of social networking sites and some students didn't realise the offence they were causing when they posted comments online.

"You have to live with the ramifications of what you have said."

The Mt Roskill Grammar students were not under the school's care on Monday, as it was a term holiday, One News reported.

Mt Roskill Grammar principal Greg Watson responded to a number of questions with a short statement.

"The assault on the student at Lynfield College is an extremely serious matter. At Mt Roskill Grammar School we are investigating all of the options available. The matter is also in the hands of the police."

- NZPA