Teen linked to Islamic State films Sydney gay bashing and gets probation
Feb 27th 2026
A teenager who filmed a brutal gay bashing in Sydney and was linked to an IS network received nine months' probation after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery, prompting concern about a rise in filmed extremist bait-and-bash attacks and gaps in Australia’s hate crime protections.
- A 17-year-old filmed himself repeatedly stomping a 20-year-old man's head in a Sydney underpass, leaving the victim with serious facial injuries.
- Police say the attacker was linked to a resurgent Islamic State network and was suspected in multiple similar filmed assaults but was charged only with aggravated robbery.
- The juvenile pleaded guilty and was sentenced last October to nine months' probation with no conviction recorded.
- Police figures obtained by the ABC show at least 64 people have been charged in NSW and Victoria since 2023 over similar dating-app bait-and-bash assaults.
- Advocates and researchers say anti-LGBTQIA+ violence is chronically under-reported, under-charged and under-prosecuted across Australia.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns has flagged urgent legislation proposing heavier penalties and possible new offences targeting anti-LGBTQIA+ violence.