Geraldton father and son charged over alleged assault at Year 12 school ball afterparty

A fun school ball after-party took a disastrous turn when a father-son duo allegedly assaulted their neighbour after making a noise complaint. Nagle Catholic College held its Year 12 ball on February 19, with a group of students going back to a home in a quiet suburban street in Wandina to continue their celebrations. Police will allege a 45-year-old man woke around 11.30pm to music playing from next door and went to confront his neighbour. Geraldton police operations manager Sgt Shilo O’Neill said the man hosting the party apologised for the noise, but the accused did not back down and soon became “irate”. He then allegedly approached his neighbour with a shovel and the pair started arguing at the front of the house where the party was being held. After dropping the shovel, the accused is alleged to have started pushing the complainant in the chest before grabbing his throat and pinning him to the wall. The accused’s 17-year-old son allegedly joined in on the assault and struck the victim to the face. Sgt O’Neill said the alleged victim tried to defend himself and others at the premises helped eventually to separate the parties. It is understood the alleged attack occurred in the presence of about 50 teenagers who had gathered at the house. The alleged victim told the Guardian the gathering had been organised at the last minute to give his daughter and her friends a safe space to catch up after the formal event. He described those in attendance as responsible and mature young adults. He said he informed his neighbour via text there would be some noise, but the party would wrap up by 1am. The complainant said he had never had any problems with the alleged offenders prior to that night. It is understood part of the alleged assault was filmed and posted to social media app Snapchat, and that all party guests were asked to go home after the alleged bashing. Police charged an adult male with being armed in a way that could cause fear and aggravated unlawful assault causing bodily harm. The man’s son was charged with aggravated unlawful assault. They will both appear in court this month.