‘It’s getting worse’ — Albany shop owners speak out about late-night violence as 16-year-old faces GBH charge

A 16-year-old Albany boy has been charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly leaving a 27-year-old man with serious facial injuries after an assault on York Street in the early hours of Saturday morning. Albany detectives are calling for witnesses to what they have described as an unprovoked attack which happened about 2.45am in front of Istanbul Kebabs and Turkish Bakery. The teenager from Lower King was arrested and charged on Monday after an investigation into an incident which left his alleged victim requiring surgery. Police allege the victim was looking at his mobile phone when the teenager approached him and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. The 27-year-old was taken to Albany Health Campus for treatment. It is understood he will travel to Perth for facial surgery. Police allege the teenager then approached another man who was sitting on a brick wall outside the kebab shop, punching him several times in the head. Albany Det-Sgt Vaughan Mackay said there were other people in the area at the time of the incident and police would like to hear from them. “We’re aware there is a number of witnesses that were present,” Det-Sgt Mackay said. “We are appealing for those people to come forward if they haven’t already and provide police with what they saw or heard. “These were entirely unprovoked assaults. “The first victim was punched in the face for no known reason and the second assault happened straight after at the same location with another male, who was unrelated.” Det-Sgt Mackay said juveniles roaming around town at that time of night were a concern. “Any unaccompanied juvenile on the street at that time is certainly a concern,” he said. “With the assistance of support agencies, we need to try and ensure these juveniles are not at risk or putting others at risk with their behaviour.” The 16-year-old is due to face Albany Children’s Court on December 11. Istanbul Kebabs and Turkish Bakery part-owner James Carter said late-night violence on Albany’s main street needed to stop. “Friday and Saturday nights are the worst,” Mr Carter said. “We like to serve the local people after they’ve been to the pubs drinking but it makes us sad to see them fighting on the streets. “The last two weekends there have been bad fights. It usually happens every fortnight but it’s getting worse. “Albany is a small town and the community should be together, not fighting each other.”