Two Australian boys accused of gang-raping a schoolgirl in Sydney are freed on bail before their HSC exams

Two of three 17-year-old boys charged over an hours-long gang rape of a teenage girl in Sydney were granted bail at a children's court on Friday, despite police warnings she faces her school exams 'going through fear, going through pain'. The ringleader, a private schoolboy from St Gregory's College in Campbelltown, faces 11 offences and did not seek bail. A police prosecutor argued the alleged victim would also be sitting her Higher School Certificate exams under the shadow of the assault.

The alleged ringleader is accused of luring the girl to a football match before raping her at a house, then sending texts to two friends to join the attack.

Defence barristers cited strong family support, no criminal histories and upcoming HSC exams as grounds for bail.

The third boy, who allegedly arrived after a crude invitation, faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company.