Five Perth teenagers have been sentenced to jail terms of up to two years and two months after orchestrating a series of violent homophobic attacks using the gay dating app Grindr to lure victims to isolated locations.
The Perth Children's Court heard that the teenagers, all under 17, used fake profiles on Grindr to arrange meetings with gay men at secluded parks, where they would then rob and assault them. The attacks were described as part of a premeditated scheme targeting members of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Court proceedings revealed that the teenagers assaulted five men over two days, with the attackers dressed in black and wearing masks. The group was armed with a disturbing array of weapons including knives, a machete, a metal bar, pepper spray, and a taser.
The victims, ranging in age from their late teens to mid-thirties, were lured to nighttime meetings in parks with the promise of sexual encounters. Instead, they faced coordinated violence in what authorities have described as hate crimes targeting gay men.
The case first came to police attention in September 2024, when investigators initially suspected there were additional victims beyond those who had come forward. Police found videos on the accused teenagers' mobile phones that suggested more men may have been targeted in similar attacks.
This Perth case is part of a concerning trend across Australia, where armed teenage offenders are increasingly using dating apps to target LGBTIQ+ individuals, often filming the attacks and sharing them on social media in what experts call "post and boast" crime.
The sentencing represents a significant moment for Perth's queer community, which has long advocated for stronger protections against hate crimes. The use of Grindr, a platform designed to connect gay men safely, to facilitate these attacks has particularly shaken the community.
LGBTIQ+ advocacy groups have noted that these attacks represent more than random violence – they are calculated acts of homophobia that exploit the vulnerabilities of people seeking connection and intimacy.
The range of charges faced by the teenagers included unlawful wounding, assault, and robbery. The longest sentence of two years and two months reflects the serious nature of the coordinated attacks and their impact on the victims.
The fact that the case was heard in the Children's Court highlights the young age of the perpetrators, raising questions about how homophobic attitudes develop and spread among teenagers, particularly in the age of social media.
The case has prompted renewed discussions about safety protocols for users of dating apps. Safety advocates emphasise the importance of meeting in public spaces and informing trusted friends about planned encounters
These sentences provide some measure of justice, though the attacks serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by gay men and other members of the community in simply existing and seeking connection safely.
The case also underscores the need for continued education about LGBTIQ+ issues and the serious consequences of hate crimes in our communities.
If you or someone you know has been affected by hate crime or assault, support is available through QLife (1800 184 527) and local LGBTIQ+ support services.
