A TEENAGER has been charged following an investigation into an alleged assault at a soccer match which left the victim needing surgery for a broken jaw.
About 8pm on Wednesday May 12, a 16-year-old player was allegedly punched in the face at the conclusion of a soccer match held at Birralee Oval in Kurri Kurri, knocking him unconscious.
A witness who previously spoke to the Newcastle Herald on the condition of anonymity said the game had finished when the altercation occurred between players from Kurri Kurri and Valentine.
"It was just obscene," the witness said.
"It's not what we want and it's not what we are teaching our boys. They should be told it is unacceptable.
"I've never seen anything like it. The whistle had blown - the game was over."
The teen was taken to Kurri Kurri Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment, where it was revealed he had suffered a broken jaw and underwent surgery.
Newcastle police were notified on Thursday May 13.
Following an investigation by detectives attached to Hunter Valley police district, a 16-year-old boy was arrested after attending Cessnock police station just after 3pm Monday.
He was charged with recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm and granted conditional bail to appear at a children's court on Tuesday June 15.
