A disabled man has fought off four young boys aged between 12 and 14 after they allegedly attacked him with broomsticks inside a regional laundromat.
CCTV footage captured the moment the four boys were loitering inside the laundromat on Railway St in Gatton, about 90km west of Brisbane, about 3.30am on Sunday.
The footage shows the boys were playing with broomsticks and hiding inside the dryer machines when a 57-year-old man walked into the laundromat unaware of their behaviour.
The boys were hiding inside the machines and playing up at 3.30am on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire handout
Moments later, the man, who is using a walking stick, is approached by the boys and forced up against the machines.
With nowhere to go, the man is allegedly poked with the broomsticks in the face and neck and is clearly in distress.
He attempts to swat them away with his walking stick, but the boys allegedly continue to prod him.
The man is able to chase three of the boys out of the laundromat in attempt to stop them from allegedly assaulting him.
The man was allegedly harassed by the four boys. Picture: NewsWire handout
What he doesn’t realise though is the fourth boy had been hiding in one of the dryer machines and jumps out to support his friends.
The footage then captures the man outside with the four boys in the carpark, where they allegedly throw sticks at him and one boy even hurls a rock at the older man.
He continues to attempt to defend himself by waving his walking stick around to keep the boys at bay during the sickening attack.
The boys allegedly continue to circle the man and threaten him.
The boys allegedly used broomsticks to prod the 57-year-old disabled man. Picture: NewsWire handout
The boys were forced outside by the man but allegedly continued to hurl items at him. Picture: NewsWire handout
Queensland Police told NewsWire that three of the four boys had since been charged over the alleged threats towards the man.
A 12-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of stealing, three counts of public nuisance, one count of common assault, and one count of wilful damage.
A 13-year-old boy was charged with three counts of stealing, four count of public nuisance, and one count of wilful damage.
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with five counts of public nuisance, one count of common assault, one count of trespass and one count of wilful damage.
All three boys are set to appear in Gatton Children’s Court on December 18.
Police confirmed a second 13-year-old boy allegedly involved in the laundromat harassment had been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
Police ask anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.