Police issue warning to those with sickening teen videotape

AUSTRALIA - Victoria police have warned possessing a sickening homemade DVD will be considered a child pornography offence.

Police are anxious to remove from circulation as many copies as possible of the DVD showing the sexual assault and degradation of a teenage girl by a gang of youths. They have issued a statement urging anyone in possession of the DVD - which has sold for $A5 (NZ$5.80) in some Victorian schools - to take it to the nearest police station.

Detective Inspector Simon Clemence said the DVD could be handed in anonymously. "However, investigators ask those who are willing to assist police in the investigation to provide information as to circumstances of how they came by the DVD."

Police have stepped up their efforts to track down the youths who made and featured in the DVD.

The film was shot at Werribee, in Victoria's southwest, in June when about a dozen youths took a 17-year-old girl, who has a developmental delay, to a riverbed area and sexually abused her. Her hair was set alight and she was doused in urine.

The DVD sparked national outrage and dismay when it came to light this week. Clemence said more homes had been raided and police continued to question youths. Several of the teens had been taken to police stations by their parents.

Police say no charges will be laid until they have finished gathering evidence.

- AAP