Lawyers for a 17-year-old VCE student who kicked a Melbourne police officer in the head have pressed for new charges against him to be kept secret.
The teen's future court dates have also been pushed back to accommodate his year 12 exams.
His previous high-profile case drew the ire of police and the government after he was bailed by the Children’s Court in January and later sentenced to a nine-month community corrections order, without a conviction or jail time.
The teenager was on probation when he attacked the policeman outside Highpoint Shopping Centre on Boxing Day. He pleaded guilty to one charge each of assaulting police and intentionally causing injury.
The 17-year-old kicked the policeman while the officer was on his knees arresting an alleged teenage shoplifter. Police said the assault was premeditated and carried out against a vulnerable target. The officer was left with bruising and swelling around his eye.
The police officer assaulted while making an arrest at Highpoint Shopping Centre.
Photo: Police AssociationThe teenager was granted bail in January, but within hours of being released was arrested again. He was found in possession of a mobile phone, which breached his bail conditions.
"He deserves the opportunity to have a clear and definitive conclusion to these matters before they are publicised."
Teenager's lawyer
Prosecutors will appeal what they say is an inadequate sentence for the attack on the police officer, with a hearing expected in June.
The teenager, who is on bail over two new charges for separate matters, faced a Children’s Court again on Thursday.
The boy’s lawyer argued the details needed to stay out of the public eye until the case was concluded.
“He deserves the opportunity to have a clear and definitive conclusion to these matters before they are publicised,” the lawyer said.
The magistrate would not release details of the new charges to the media. It is the second time a magistrate has taken this course.
It is unusual for details of charges to be withheld from the media, particularly in the Children’s Court, where alleged offenders cannot be identified.
Both charges were adjourned to be heard separately on different dates.
The magistrate moved back the next hearing so it did not interrupt the teenager’s year 12 exams.
Adam Cooper joined The Age in 2011 after a decade with AAP, the country's news service. Email or tweet Adam with your news tips.
Morning & Afternoon Newsletter
Delivered Mon–Fri.