Teen in court over violent assault near St Kilda restaurant
An alleged teen gang member has appeared in a Melbourne court charged over an assault of a man near Donovans restaurant in St Kilda.
Eighteen-year-old Mechac Mukanu is accused of using an extendable baton to attack a man in December.
The teen handed himself in after police released images of suspects in the assault, telling investigators he attacked the victim because he had assaulted one of his friends.
However, the accused’s stepfather, a pastor at the Pentecostal Church, has stood by the teen, describing him as a “good boy”.
“I believe a bad person can become a good person… life can change,” Richard Mabiala told 9News outside the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Sheridan Randall, 8th January 2019
