Driver accused of targeting two boys, 12, with vehicle released on bail

A man charged with deliberately running down two

A man charged with deliberately running down two 12-year-old boys in a ute in north-west Victoria has been granted bail, despite prosecutors arguing he posed a serious risk to the community.

The incident occurred in the town of Kerang, where police allege the 43-year-old driver intentionally chased the children and struck them with his utility vehicle. Both boys sustained injuries and were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, though their conditions were later reported as stable.

Magistrate Julie O'Donoghue ruled on Thursday that bail could be granted under strict conditions, including a nightly curfew, a ban on contacting the victims, and a requirement to surrender his driver's licence. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces charges of intentionally causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering life.

The court heard the alleged attack followed a

The court heard the alleged attack followed a minor dispute involving the boys, which police described as entirely unprovoked. One officer told the hearing that the children were “blameless” and had simply been walking along a road when the driver allegedly accelerated toward them.

Defense counsel argued the man had no prior violent offenses and had strong ties to the local community, including a job and family commitments. They also pointed to his willingness to abide by strict bail terms as evidence that he was not a flight risk.

Prosecutors sought to have bail refused, citing the seriousness of the allegations and concerns that the man might interfere with witnesses. However, the magistrate accepted the defense's submissions, noting that the man had complied with police questioning and had no history of evading authorities.

The case has sparked outrage in the small

The case has sparked outrage in the small rural community, where residents expressed shock that an adult could allegedly target children in such a manner. A neighbor told reporters that the boys were “well-known and liked” in the area, and that many locals were struggling to understand how the incident unfolded.

The man is scheduled to appear in court again next month, where he will enter a formal plea. Until then, he remains subject to the bail conditions and is barred from driving any vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing, and police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.