20 Africans beat Aussie teen in racist attack 77 Views

Perth detectives are hunting up to 20 youths, believed to be of African descent, who were involved in the attack in the city at 11.30pm last night.

Two males - aged 16 and 17 - have already been charged, but police have not ruled out further charges being laid.

This afternoon, 19-year-old James Claxon told how a night out with mates turned into a nightmare when he was allegedly set upon by the gang, attacked and robbed of his wallet and mobile phone.

Mr Claxon said he and four friends had just got off a train and had been walking through Forrest Place towards a city nightclub when they were confronted by the group.

``They were walking through in the same proximity and they've basically started running at us and they caught me and have beaten me up and stolen my things,'' he said.

``The only thing I heard before they caught me was: `Who are these white c**ts?' It was totally unprovoked.

``They kicked me in the head a few times, stomped on my head a few times, kicked me in the kidneys and the ribs. It was mostly around the head and the ribs.

``I was probably out cold for two minutes before my mates picked me up and dragged me towards a taxi to get to hospital.''

Mr Claxon sustained facial injuries, including a bruise of shoe tread in the side of his face, and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment, but discharged yesterday morning.

He said he was stunned by the assault.

``It's surreal to think that someone could actually do that to me. To think that another person would seek out to hurt me and steal my things is incomprehensible,'' he said.

``Mostly I'm just happy I'm still here to be honest. It could have been a lot worse.''

Detective Sergeant Steve Coelho said the gang appeared to have been walking from the McIver train station on a ``rampage'' last night.

``They have singled out white Australians and for no reason whatsoever, completely unprovoked, they've attacked one of the males. That lead to a vicious assault. He's had severe facial injuries and his head literally stomped on,'' Det-Sgt Steve Coelho said.

He called on anyone who may have information about the attack to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, saying it was possible the youths had been involved in other criminal acts on Friday night.

The two charged youths will appear in Perth Magistrates Court tomorrow accused of aggravated assault. A third male was interviewed but released without charge.

Police have not ruled out further charges being laid.