Newcastle police have charged two teenage boys following separate alleged assaults on bus drivers last week.
Authorities launched an investigation after two bus drivers were reportedly assaulted on Thursday, 13 February 2025.
According to police reports, three males were fighting aboard a bus when the driver stopped at New Lambton Heights and asked them to disembark. Upon leaving the vehicle, one of the males allegedly assaulted the driver.
Shortly after, the same group boarded another bus and allegedly caused a disturbance among passengers. When the bus reached Glendale and all passengers exited, the three males allegedly forced open the rear door and assaulted the second driver. Both drivers sustained minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.
The Police Transport Command’s Northern Satellite team took charge of the investigation, leading to the arrest of a 14-year-old boy on Tuesday, 18 February. The boy allegedly resisted arrest before being taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of common assault, stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm, and resisting police in the execution of duty. He was refused bail and appeared before a children’s court on Wednesday, 19 February, where bail was formally denied. He is set to reappear in court on Monday, 24 February 2025.
Continuing inquiries led to the arrest of a second 14-year-old boy earlier today (Wednesday, 19 February 2025). He was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with common assault and affray. Unlike the first suspect, he was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before a children’s court on Monday, 24 March 2025.
Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.