Teen who made black swan vape for Snapchat ‘streaks’ avoids jail after online backlash

A West Australian court has heard how a boy who forced a black swan to inhale fumes from a vape has been subjected to public vitriol and abuse after details of his offending – and his identity – was circulated online.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified because of his age, appeared in Rockingham Children’s Court on Thursday, where his lawyer tried to have the hearing heard behind closed doors because of the online backlash.

While the magistrate denied the application, the court was told the boy and his family had been subjected to “vicious, pernicious, inappropriate” messages and “adverse commentary” directed towards him and his family from outraged vigilante community members.

The magistrate declined to close the court, stating that it was important that an outcome was reported, but hoped the police would be investigating the abuse.

The teen was arrested after videos circulated online of him and another boy abusing a swan in Mandurah on July 26.

The court heard the boys were in an inflatable boat near Endeavour Island in Mandurah, a coastal city about 75 kilometres south of Perth, when they noticed the swan had a fishing lure lodged in its neck.

They approached the swan and brought it on board the boat, and one of the boys removed the lure and discarded it.

But before setting the bird free, the 16-year-old allegedly grabbed it by the feet, restrained its neck and blew fumes from his vape into the swan’s beak.

It is alleged the other boy then slapped the swan across the head before setting it free.

The boy was further charged after a second video emerged that showed two black swans in the boat. One swan appeared unresponsive.

The boat was moored at Len Howard Conservation Park when the 16-year-old was filmed throwing a dead swan into a nearby bush, which was later located by police.

On Thursday, the court heard the boy was “showing off to his younger friend” by putting the vape in its mouth.

“He said it was a really stupid impulsive thing to do,” his lawyer told the court, before explaining that his behaviour was tied to trying to get a Snapchat “streak”.

The boy’s lawyer added that “it doesn’t in any way excuse the behaviour”.