A Melbourne woman, Alajeck Anai, who was sentenced to six months in a youth justice centre for a vicious assault on a 14-year-old autistic girl, is now appealing her sentence. This group attack occurred at Altona Pier in February last year. Anai’s legal representation argues that her appeal is justified as there was no assessment of her suitability for youth detention presented during the sentencing. They claim the magistrate should not have imposed this order without such an assessment, which would have evaluated Anai’s mental state and previous traumas, as well as her ability to cope in a youth facility.
The victim’s mother, Ann Axiak, expressed deep concern for her daughter, who has not returned to school for a year due to the incident, describing her current emotional state as filled with fear. The County Court Judge, Pardeep Tiwana, described the attack as “truly gut-wrenching,” highlighting it as an “unprovoked and sustained group attack” on a vulnerable individual. A decision regarding Anai’s appeal is expected in April, following the completion of a detailed report.