Churchlands Senior High School community shocked, disgusted after teenage students beat and rob Matthew Henson, 20, over shoes

Students from Perth’s biggest public school are at the centre of a cowardly bashing that left a man in a coma after he was set upon by five boys from Churchlands Senior High School. The students, aged 14 to 16, have been charged over the vicious assault and robbery of Matthew Henson at Stirling train station on Thursday afternoon in a horrifying incident that is believed to have started because the group wanted his shoes. The 20-year-old victim was last night in an induced coma in intensive care at Royal Perth Hospital in a critical but stable condition. The West Australian understands police will allege the group of six boys, all wearing Churchlands uniforms, got off a 998 bus at Stirling train station about 1.45pm. One of the group allegedly ran up behind the victim and fly-kicked him in the back, causing Mr Henson to fall to the ground. Five of the six teenagers then allegedly kicked and stamped on the defenceless victim, including his head, as he lay helpless on the ground. Following the ambush one of the assailants allegedly stole Mr Henson’s shoes while another took his bag. Public Transport Authority spokesman David Hynes said the victim was set upon just minutes after patrolling transit officers left the train station. “The family is appreciative of police efforts to apprehend the culprits so quickly,” Mr Henson’s mother said yesterday. “Our focus is now on our son and getting him back to full health as soon as possible.” Education Minister Sue Ellery described the alleged assault as “shocking” and said she expected the school to launch its own probe. The final bell at Churchlands, one of WA’s best-performing high schools, does not sound until 3.15pm — 90 minutes after the alleged attack. The Education Department refused to say why the boys were not on school grounds at the time. It also would not say whether the boys had been suspended or expelled. Churchlands mum Lisa Jarosz said she was shocked by the assault. “My hope is that Churchlands will take it seriously and the boys that are involved will face consequences that will ultimately, for lack of a better word, scare them and teach them that we don’t treat people like this,” she said. Five boys have been charged with aggravated robbery and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, while the sixth was released without charge. The boys will appear in court on March 3.