Charges withdrawn against 12-year-old boy following grocer's death

Charges against a 12-year-old boy accused of being involved in the fatal assault of a Sunshine shopkeeper have been dropped.

Police revealed on Thursday afternoon that the charges of intentionally cause serious injury, intentionally causing injury and affray had been withdrawn after “significant consideration” following the death in August of Van Viet Truong.

“Advice from the [Director of Public Prosecutions] confirmed that there are no reasonable prospects of conviction in relation to this accused due to the presumption at law that a child who is 12 or 13 is not criminally responsible for their actions,” Victoria Police said.

Police say Truong, 60, was set upon by youths when he tried to help a nearby shop employee caught in a scuffle over allegedly stolen items in Hampshire Street on August 1.

Five children were initially charged, but further investigations soon exonerated a 13-year-old boy.

Charges against a 15-year-old boy were upgraded to manslaughter after Truong’s death on August 5.

Two girls aged 14 were granted bail on August 7 as they awaited their day in court.

Police said Truong’s family had been notified about the charges against the 12-year-old being withdrawn.

“Our thoughts are with them today,” the spokesperson said.

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