Teens admit assaulting Surrey schoolgirl in viral video
- Published
Two teenage girls were assaulted outside Thomas Knyvett College in February
Two teenagers have admitted assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl in an attack that was filmed and went viral.
It happened near Thomas Knyvett College in Ashford, Surrey, on 6 February.
The response of staff to the alleged racially aggravated assault led to criticism by MPs and a protest outside the school.
The 16-year-old girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, both pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
This article contains descriptions of violence which some readers may find upsetting
During the same hearing at Guildford Youth Court, one also pleaded guilty to assaulting a second teenage girl by beating.
The other girl pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm on that day and sending a threatening message to the schoolgirl on Snapchat two days before.
'Get on her'
Magistrates viewed video of the assault showing a black pupil being punched, kicked and having her hair pulled while her attackers were encouraged by adults.
The second defendant is alleged to have repeatedly used a racial slur towards the girl.
She denies that she was the one making the threats.
Prosecutor Amanda Burrows said the teenager who admitted both charges was being "encouraged to get involved".
The video showed the defendant being told "get on her" and "that's it, that's it" by an adult.
The second victim said in an impact statement that she saw the same defendant assault the first victim while her co-defendant hit her, kicked her in the neck and pulled her hair out.
The girl also said one defendant dragged her on to the floor and kicked her in the thighs for about five minutes while she was on the floor.
The first victim did not provide an impact statement but pictures shown in court revealed her braided hair had been pulled out at the scalp and her eyes were bruised.
The defendant who admitted all charges was bailed until sentencing.
The other defendant, who was also bailed, will stand trial over the racially aggravated assault and sending threatening messages charges.
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