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Week commencing Thursday, 16 February | 2017 | Edition 863
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www.freetimes.com.au
Bunnings fight not over
New mechanic c in town
Allora Show wrap up
Weekend guide
PAGE 5
PAGE 7
PAGES 16, 24
PAGE 17
Teens run riot By Jeremy Sollars The Warwick police believe there is no local trend towards vigilantism by adults and parents over recent violent incidents involving groups of teenagers in town. Officers from the police Child Protection Investigations Unit have been investigating a spate of clashes involving teens predominantly aged between 11 and 14, sometimes referred to as ‘twelvies’. Police and paramedics were called to Warwick State High School on Monday of this week after a 16-year-old male student was violently assaulted in the school grounds by a 17-year-old male assailant, causing a tooth to protrude through the victim’s lip. The victim and his parents have made a formal complaint to police after the 16-year-old was punched repeatedly in the face and mouth by the suspect, who is yet to be charged over the assault. The Free Times understands there have been at least three other similar fights at the school within the last fortnight, with at least one involving a girl-on-girl brawl, but the Department of Education has refused to release details, citing “privacy” rights of those involved. The Warwick State High School dramas follow two other assaults involving teens in separate incidents in Warwick’s Queens Park on Thursday 2 February and Saturday 4 February, with the latter seeing a 12-year-old girl hospitalised after being bashed with her own bike helmet by another girl near the skate park. The father of the girl concerned has told the Free Times his daughter and younger son - both of whom have mental health conditions - have been targeted by a group of teens who have even visited their home to further taunt, goad and harass his children, as recently as Monday night of this week. Continued in page 3
Lee’s lucky quest By Jeremy Sollars Warwick’s Lee Robson is hoping to rope his way to a win when he heads to the Mitsubishi Big Show Team Roping Championships in Tamworth next week. Billed as the richest team roping event in the Southern Hemisphere, the competition attracts competitors from across the country and overseas - and a host of other Warwick competitors are also making the trip. Continued in page 3
Hoping for third time lucky: Warwick team roper Lee Robson is heading to Tamworth next week for the Mitsubishi Big Show 2017.
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