Youths held after attack leaves Scots tourist in fight for life

FOUR boys have been charged after an alleged attack at a railway station that left a Scottish tourist fighting for his life in Australia.

Mark Willis, 25, from Glasgow, is in a critical condition in hospital in Sydney with brain injuries after undergoing emergency neurosurgery after the alleged early morning attack by youngsters aged from 13 to 15.

Some of the others thought to have been involved were described as appearing to be as young as ten.

Mr Willis and his girlfriend Jane McLean had just got off a bus at Rockdale in the city at 3:25am on their way home when Mr Willis got into an argument.

One report said that following an argument on the bus the couple were surrounded by up to ten males.

It is thought Mr Willis was hit from behind and fell, hitting his head on the footpath.

Within minutes Mr Willis was rushed to the nearby St George hospital where doctors said he was "critical but stable".

A police spokesman said four boys had been arrested and charged with offences including assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and affray.

The boys were due to appear before Parramatta Children's Court.

Mr Willis and his girlfriend arrived in Australia on a 12-month working visa in December and had planned to hire a camper van and drive around the country.

He had written on his Facebook page that he had come to have a "break from Glasgow and to see some of the world".

Mr Willis's parents are travelling to Sydney to be with him.

Detective Superintendent Helen Begg said Ms McLean had been working with police to identify the alleged attackers.