A Perth teenager accused of assaulting a fellow high school student so severely he was hospitalised has been warned by a magistrate to take the allegations seriously.
The 15-year-old Kent Street Senior High School student appeared in Perth Children's Court on Thursday charged with grievous bodily harm and common assault after allegedly bashing a 14-year-old boy so badly he was hospitalised with a shattered pelvis.
The victim, who has a physical disability and has been in and out of the hospital for years, was taken to Perth Children's Hospital for emergency surgery after the alleged assault in the Victoria Park schoolyard on June 10.
He was discharged soon after and has been in a wheelchair since.
The 14-year-old had recently become a boarding student at Kent Street after moving away from his parents, who live in Shark Bay when the alleged attack happened.
He has since returned home to Shark Bay and is doing school remotely.
According to the Education Department, the accused offender has not been excluded from school, with Kent Street Senior High School Principal Kate Wilson deciding not to recommend an exclusion after reviewing the matter.
The accused boy first appeared in court on June 25 and was granted bail by Magistrate Andrée Horrigan before facing Magistrate Sarah Dewsbury on Thursday.
Ms Dewsbury extended the teen's bail until next month, at his lawyer's request. "These are very serious charges," she told the accused. Ms Dewsbury said it was unfortunate the matter had to be delayed but acknowledged the importance of the teenager's lawyer having time to explain the severity of the charges against him.
The teenager is next due in court on September 3.
Department of Education schools deputy director-general Stephen Baxter said the department took all allegations of bullying and violence very seriously.
"Our message to the community is clear, violence is not acceptable and will not be tolerated," he said. "Every child should feel safe and supported when they are at school."
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