Teenager admits assault on US surgeon during Australian Open tennis
The American victims of a Victorian teenager who viciously assaulted them during the Australian Open tennis tournament will have the chance to face their attacker before he's sentenced.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty at a Melbourne children's court on Monday to offences including robbery and intentionally causing serious injury.
The charges relate to the mugging of eminent surgeon Edmund Pribitkin as he and his son walked from the tennis at Melbourne Park through nearby Queen Victoria Gardens on January 17, as well as another earlier, less serious incident.
Dr Pritbitkin was left in an induced coma by the assault, which came after a gang of youths asked him for a cigarette.
He also required eight metal plates to be inserted in his face after the attack, while his son, Edik, suffered concussion and a broken nose.
The 17-year-old appeared in court on Monday and will return on August 21, when he is expected to be sentenced.
Beforehand, the magistrate requested he attend a group conference to which his victims will also be invited.
The magistrate said the US-based victims may not wish to attend but deemed it important they be given the opportunity to speak with the teen about the consequences of his offending.
The teenager can't fix what he has done but it is an important part of the process that he try to repair it, she said.
"He may through that process be able to find some way to help these victims, to do something for them," the magistrate said.
The youth is the third teenager to plead guilty to criminal offences stemming from the assault.
AAP