17yo boy captured on CCTV carrying chainsaw denies charges over violent assault on German tourist

A teenage boy charged over a violent chainsaw attack on a German backpacker will be kept in custody until Tuesday while the magistrate reviews video evidence capturing the boy in possession of the weapon. The 17-year-old boy has denied attacking the backpacker with a running battery-powered chainsaw at public toilets in Bluff Point on Monday but has admitted he stole the tool and was in possession of it before the ambush. He appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court from custody on Thursday. When it was established, police relied on CCTV footage capturing the teen walking with a group with the chainsaw. The court was told two 24-year-old men from Germany were using the toilet block on Kempton Street in Bluff Point at the time of the incident. Police prosecutor Sen. Const. Thomas Potts said one of the men was standing by the car when he saw a group of eight males aged 12-17 with their faces covered walking towards him. He raced over to the other man to warn him, and the group followed him into the toilet block. Sen. Const. Potts said the 17-year-old held a battery-powered chainsaw and switched it on and off while two co-accused demanded the men’s belongings, saying, “Give me your keys, give me your money, what about your watch?”. A third co-accused produced a pocket knife, the court was told. When the 24-year-old refused to hand over his property, police say the 17-year-old stepped closer and waved the chainsaw in the air while it was turned on. A co-accused kicked the man, causing him to stumble and take hold of the accused by his jumper Sen. Const. Potts said. The 17-year-old allegedly struck him in the head with the chainsaw, causing blood to rush down his face. The group fled the scene, and the backpackers barricaded themselves inside the toilet block and contacted police. The 24-year-old required 12 stitches. On Wednesday, Geraldton detectives arrested the 17-year-old boy and charged him with aggravated armed assault with intent to rob. Magistrate Kelly Thompson questioned what evidence police had linking the 17-year-old to the assault. Sen. Const. Potts said the boy was identified as holding the chainsaw and walking with a group before the incident. Defence lawyer Veronica Randall said the 17-year-old admitted he stole the chainsaw from the back of a ute but claimed he threw it into bushland and left the group on a push bike before the attack. “He’s denying he was involved in this,” she said. Ms Randall said she was concerned over how the interview was conducted, claiming the 17-year-old was not treated fairly. She told the court the 17-year-old self-harmed in the police watch house on Thursday morning but was not taken to hospital. Ms Thompson said the wielding of a chainsaw was serious and wanted to view the evidence to determine the strength of the case. Because of self-harm concerns, she remanded the boy to Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre rather than the local watch house. The 17-year-old made a brief appearance in court on Friday where he was remanded in custody until Tuesday. Bail was not considered. Lifeline 13 11 14