An alleged six-hour gang-rape of a teenage girl in a car at the hands of four youths has been described by senior New South Wales police as a degrading incident that “beggars belief”.
A 14-year-old boy was the youngest of the group who allegedly took part in the sexual assault across south-western Sydney in December 2024.
“It beggars belief that, in this day and age, men would think to act this way towards a girl over a six-hour period … to act together and encourage each other and degrade the victim in the way that they did,” the sex crimes squad commander, Det Supt Jayne Doherty, said on Wednesday, commenting on the allegations against the group.
“Their age is concerning but this shouldn’t be accepted at any age.”
The two eldest, now aged 18 and 19, faced court for the first time on Wednesday after being arrested on Tuesday with help from riot squad officers.
The pair were charged with a combined 14 counts of aggravated sex assault.
Adam Abdul Hamid, 19, was refused bail during a brief court appearance, with his lawyer telling reporters his client maintains his innocence.
The 18-year-old, who cannot be identified because he was a juvenile in December, was refused bail ahead of an application on Tuesday.
Police allege the incident was partially captured on video and shared among the teenagers.
They will allege that the 17-year-old girl was initially approached by a male unknown to her at a shopping centre in Liverpool about 5.30pm. He followed her to her car and she reluctantly let him inside before he began sexually assaulting her, detectives said on Wednesday.
A short time later, the male asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb to which the girl agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car when they arrived. At the park, two other men got into the car and it is alleged they also sexually assaulted the girl.
A fourth male then arrived in another car and police allege the sexual assault continued as the girl was driven around.
About 11.30pm, when they left the girl in her car, she was able to contact a friend who took her to a police station.
The matter was referred to the state crime command’s sex crimes squad, who established Strike Force Dungannon to investigate.
Detectives arrested a 16-year-old in Condell Park in December 2024, when he was charged with 24 offences including nine counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
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This was followed by another arrest in Miller of a 14-year-old, who was charged with 10 offences including seven counts of aggravated sex assault.
Both were refused bail and appeared at a children’s court in December.
After extensive inquiries, strike force detectives executed simultaneous search warrants in Sadleir and Heckenberg and arrested the other teenagers.
Doherty hailed “the strength” of the girl.
“She was able to give a very detailed statement over a number of days, which gave us a number of opportunities to gather evidence,” she said.
“She’s very distraught 1750239162 … fortunately, she’s supported by family, who are very strong and supportive of her.”
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, praised detectives. “The work of the police has been absolutely enormous,” she told reporters.
“I want to congratulate [the sex crimes unit] on the speed and professionalism and the wraparound services they’ve provided to that young woman.”
