Five teenage boys have been sentenced in Perth Children’s Court for a string of violent and premeditated assaults on gay and bisexual men, whom they lured via a fake Grindr profile.
The attacks, described by the court as “planned and premeditated,” involved fake online identities used to bait victims with the promise of sex. Once lured to remote meeting spots, the victims were ambushed by the youths—armed with knives, machetes, pepper spray, metal bars, and tasers—and subjected to horrific assaults.
One victim was beaten, tasered, stripped, and chased into a swamp where a blade was held to his throat. He passed out, woke naked, and later discovered his wallet had been stolen. The attackers also filmed the ordeal and shared explicit images online. Another victim was ambushed in Hamilton Hill by eight masked teens who smashed his car’s windscreen and left him bleeding in a stranger’s home.
In South Lake, a man was chased into traffic, hit over the head, and filmed unconscious with a taser pressed to his genitals. Other victims were similarly ambushed, beaten, and robbed, with several suffering long-term emotional trauma. One has become so fearful that he no longer leaves his home.
Judge Wendy Hughes condemned the cruelty of the crimes given the offenders’ young ages, stating: “It’s really difficult to believe that given your young ages that you would be so cruel to a human being.”
All five boys pleaded guilty to a range of charges, including unlawful wounding, assault, aggravated armed robbery, threats with intent, distribution of intimate images, and criminal damage. The harshest sentence was two years and two months in juvenile detention, with the others receiving at least 18 months. Two additional co-accused youths still await court outcomes.
A lawyer for two of the teens claimed the group intended to target paedophiles, not gay men, calling their actions “misguided.” However, prosecutors noted the violent and homophobic nature of the attacks, many of which were shared online.
These incidents form part of a disturbing trend. In Victoria, more than 30 individuals were arrested in May 2025 for similar crimes targeting gay men via dating apps. In October 2024, 13 suspects were charged in Melbourne for a spate of ambushes, and in Canberra, two separate attacks were reported in July 2024.
Advocacy groups warn that many hate crimes go unreported due to victims’ fear or mistrust of police. In response, Thorne Harbour Health will host a Grindr Community Forum in Melbourne this weekend to help the community better understand online safety, share updates, and offer support.
