'A lot of people want to hurt me': Teenager accused of horrific attack on one of Australia's top cops after he was booted off a train says HE'S the victim
- Isaiah Stephens, 18, who allegedly bashed a cop now claims he is the victim
- The aspiring carpenter now says he has been inundated with death threats
- The 18-year-old and his brother Jay, 20, have been charged for the assault
- Assistant Commissioner Chris O'Neill suffered fractured ribs and brain injuries
A teenage boy accused of bashing a high-ranking policeman now claims he is the victim after being inundated with death threats from the public.
Isaiah Stephens, 18, and his brother Jay Stephens, 20, allegedly kicked and punched Assistant Commissioner Chris O'Neill, 60, in the head and chest near Melbourne's Heyington train station on June 16.
Mr O'Neill was off-duty when he was allegedly assaulted by the pair and was taken to hospital with three fractured ribs and serious head injuries.
Stephens, 18, told 9News of threats against him: 'A lot of people want to hurt me, it's quite violent and aggressive.'
Jay Stephens (left), 20, and Isaiah Stephens (right), 18, were arrested in Melbourne's east after allegedly bashing a high-ranking policeman
The pair had been on board a train when passengers complained they had been vomiting and urinating inside a carriage, Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said.
Jay and Isaiah then got off the train at Heyington station and came into contact with Mr O'Neill, who was off-duty at the time, once they left the station.
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Isaiah, an aspiring carpenter, and his brother were charged with assault.
The 18-year-old - who was bailed - denied he urinated, vomited and threatened commuters on the train.
His brother remained behind bars.
'I can't say I'm continuously looking for people to hurt,' he said.
'Honestly, I'm just trying to move on from what happened. I don't have a lot to say to people who have said what they've said.
'They've clearly made up their mind so I think they should be held more accountable for what they're doing.'
Jay and Isaiah had been on board a train when passengers complained they had been vomiting and urinating inside a carriage, Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said
Assistant Commissioner Chris O'Neill (pictured), 60, was kicked and punched in the head and chest near Toorak's Heyington Station around 5.30pm on June 16
Their father Jared Pihlgren also faced court and was released on bail after allegedly threatening police in a chilling Facebook post.
'I'd p*** on you Chris O'Neill ya maggot dog. I got zero respect and you know why,' the post from his account allegedly read.
'F*** the police and your crew ya swine. You attack mine, god help yours.'
'Cops want war let's start gang land killings again,' Pihlgren allegedly wrote underneath his Facebook status.
The 49-year-old father from Victoria was previously described in court as having 'an extreme hatred for the police' and being a threat to people.
Pilhgren and his two sons were banned from speaking to one another and were scheduled to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court in September.
The boys' father Jared Pilgren (pictured at Melbourne Magistrates' Court) allegedly wrote on Facebook: 'I'd p*** on you Chris O'Neill ya maggot dog. I got zero respect and you know why'
The father of two brothers charged with assaulting a top police officer near a Melbourne train station has allegedly threatened to bash the cop in a Facebook post
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