Four police officers who savagely beat a 16-year-old boy with Asperger’s as he lay naked screaming for help will now be subject to an internal investigation.
Horrifying CCTV footage, obtained by A Current Affair, shows the teenager being pinned to the ground and bashed with a baton outside a backpackers hostel in Byron Bay, New South Wales, on January 11.
In the shocking vision, the boy can be heard frantically shrieking for help as the officers swore at him and continued to beat him.
Horrifying CCTV footage, obtained by A Current Affair, shows the teenager being pinned to the ground and bashed with a baton outside a backpackers hostel in Byron Bay, New South Wales
In the shocking vision, the boy can be heard frantically shrieking for help as the officers swore at him and continued to beat him (Bruising pictured)
He was left with severe purple bruising across his legs following the altercation.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) will now hold a public hearing to investigate if any NSW police officer involved in the incident engaged in serious misconduct.
‘The LECC has received a number of complaints by members of the public about recent police events in Byron Bay which were reported in the media and has decided to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a young person on 11 January 2018, and the associated conduct of police officers,’ a statement read.
The unnamed teenager, who has Asperger syndrome, was lying on the ground outside of the backpacker hostel on Lanteen Lane before police arrived.
Police allege they deployed pepper spray when the boy became aggressive, before using a taser when he allegedly assaulted an officer.
Officers also allege the teenager continued to resist arrest before he was taken to Byron Bay police station.
The footage, filmed by terrified locals, shows four officers repeatedly hitting the 16-year-old and yelling ‘you f***ing loser’ at the boy
The unnamed teenager, who has Asperger syndrome, was lying on the ground outside of the backpacker hostel on Lanteen Lane before police arrived (Bruising pictured)
The boy’s parents are reportedly ‘furious’ and were out to dinner when the incident occurred.
The victim told the LECC he does not remember much but does recall being given a glass of wine from some locals before becoming ‘disorientated’.
The footage, filmed by terrified locals, shows four officers repeatedly hitting the 16-year-old and yelling ‘you f***ing loser’ at the boy.
The boy then yells ‘I’m not resisting’ as police struggle to handcuff him.
A Current Affair’s vision of the brutal attack sent ruptures across the local Byron Bay community.
Criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy (pictured) said the excessive police force on the young boy was unnecessary, especially with the number of officers attending
The attack is just one of many drug-related crimes and incidences police are having to deal with in Byron Bay, as the holiday hot spot is in the midst of a drug crisis
The attack is just one of many drug-related crimes and incidences police are having to deal with in Byron Bay, as the holiday hot spot is in the midst of a drug crisis.
Criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy said the excessive police force on the young boy was unnecessary, especially with the number of officers attending.
‘If it’s just a matter of handcuffing him with four officers there, I probably wouldn’t see the need for the repetitive baton strikes,’ he told the program.
The public hearing into the case will begin on Monday.