A teenage boy was found badly injured in a shopping centre carpark on the NSW Central Coast after what police allege was a 50-minute kidnapping and assault involving multiple teenagers.
Emergency services were called to a carpark in Woy Woy about 6.45am on Sunday, 8 March 2026, where the injured 17-year-old was located suffering multiple wounds.
Police allege the teenager was assaulted by a group of youths across several locations in Woy Woy over nearly an hour before being left injured.
During the incident, the group allegedly stole the boy’s backpack, laptop, and mobile phone.
The victim was taken to Gosford Hospital for treatment of lacerations and bruising to his face, head, and body.
Detectives from the NSW Police Force attached to the Brisbane Water Police District established a crime scene and began investigating the incident.
Two 14-year-old girls were arrested at Gosford Police Station on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. They were each charged with kidnap in company with intent to commit a serious indictable offence, aggravated robbery with wounding or grievous bodily harm, and reckless wounding in company.
One of the girls also faces an additional charge for allegedly breaching conditions of an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).
Both teenagers were refused bail and are due to appear before a Children’s Court on 20 March 2026.
A third suspect, a 13-year-old boy, was arrested at Gosford Police Station about 1.50pm on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, and charged with the same offences.
He was also refused bail and is scheduled to appear before a Children’s Court again on 8 May 2026.
The Central Coast has seen a growing number of youth-related violent incidents in recent years, sparking concern among residents and calls for stronger early intervention programs.
Cases involving teenagers charged with serious violent offences often move through the Children’s Court system, where bail decisions and sentencing differ from adult courts under Australian law.
Police say investigations into this alleged kidnapping and assault are still ongoing, and further charges have not been ruled out.
News of the alleged attack has sparked strong reactions online, with many community members expressing shock that children as young as 13 and 14 are facing charges for such serious offences.
Others are calling for tougher measures and earlier intervention programs to address youth crime and violence across regional communities.
Police continue to investigate the incident and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
What do you think about this situation? Should tougher measures be introduced for serious youth crime in Australia? Let us know in the comments.