Source: The Age December 2 2004
By Ainsley Pavey
Queensland police are investigating claims that a property owner
tied nooses around the necks of two teenage Aborigines and dragged
them around.
Police said the alleged assaults were on two Aborigines accused
of trying to break into the property owner's hut near Goondiwindi,
in the state's south, on Monday.
Aboriginal community spokesman Robbie Williams said the youths,
wearing nooses, were dragged around on the banks of a river for 45
minutes.
Police said the property owner had reported that four people had
broken into his hut and stolen items then tried to break into the
main residence and take a motorbike.
The police statement said the property owner admitted having
chased and detained a 16-year-old boy, and that the owner's son had
been involved in a scuffle with the other alleged offenders, who
escaped.
Police said they had taken the 16-year-old to the police
station, where they had seen lawyers and the boy's mother. The
youth then received medical treatment.
Police said they had visited an Aboriginal mission yesterday and
learned that a second boy had complained of being assaulted.
They took two youths from the mission for treatment.
Police had visited the property where the alleged assaults had
occurred, and Toomelah Mission, where the boys lived.
"Police spoke with several people... endeavouring to locate the
others allegedly involved (and) encourage them to seek medical
assistance and to provide information to police," police said in
their statement.
- AAP
