A teenager who became involved in a brawl and was reportedly stabbed several times while grabbing a bite to eat at a food court has recalled the terrifying ordeal.
Ned, 18, underwent emergency surgery and a blood transfusion after the fight at the Elizabeth City Centre, north Adelaide, on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the teenager said from his hospital bed that he had only been there to get food and had no intention of starting a fight.
He emphasized that he did not have a knife and claimed to have managed to disarm one of the alleged attackers with a weapon.
“I wasn’t there to hurt anyone, I picked up that knife to defend myself,” Ned said 7News.
Ned later posted a photo of himself on social media with the caption “I don’t want anyone to worry about me, I’m fine.”
His brother Moey described the alleged attack as ‘extremely disgusting’ and urged young Aussies not to aspire to be ‘gangsters’.
“You’re going to grow up and find out you’re not the gangster you think you are, you want to get a job… but you’re going to get a record under your name,” he said.
Ned broke his silence from his hospital bed (pictured) after being stabbed several times during a wild brawl in a shopping center
Ned’s family previously described him as a ‘beautiful boy’ with good school grades.
The police have arrested three teenagers aged 14, 16 and 17.
The court heard the 14-year-old from Elizabeth Vale had previously been investigated for possessing and distributing child exploitation material.
The boy previously appeared via video link asking to be released on bail as he was only charged with affray.
His lawyer told the court he had minimal involvement in the altercation, was not responsible for the stabbing itself and had no relevant criminal history.
A prosecutor revealed he had previously been investigated for possessing and distributing child abuse material, but agreed this was not relevant.
Despite Assistant Magistrate Clive Kitchin describing the alleged crime as a ‘disgraceful act’, the boy was released under strict conditions including a curfew.
He may only leave the house between 8:00 PM and 7:00 AM if accompanied by a parent. The advertiser reported
He is also not allowed to possess a “knife or any other object that could be used as a weapon,” is not allowed to visit the mall and is not allowed to contact the two other charged teens, who remain in custody.
The teenager can go back to school three days a week.
The alleged victim was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and a blood transfusion, while three teenagers accused of attacking him appeared in court on Thursday.
The alleged attack took place in front of shocked customers and staff. In the photo the police are on the scene
The 17-year-old from Salisbury East appeared in court earlier that day charged with causing grievous harm to another with intent, affray and breaching bail.
The third boy from Brahma Lodge was also in court on Thursday afternoon, charged with sedition and causing serious harm with intent.
Neither has applied for bail.
The trio are expected to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in December.