Two 17-year-old boys accused of participating in an alleged hours-long sexual assault of a teenage girl in Sydney have been granted bail under strict conditions. The decision matters because the court acknowledged the seriousness and alleged humiliation of the incident, while stressing that bail is not a punishment before charges have been proven.

The boys are among three teenagers charged over events alleged to have occurred on 16 August after the girl was taken to a home following a football match and drinks. The alleged instigator, who faces 11 charges and remains in juvenile detention, did not seek bail; the other two must report daily to police, remain under home detention, avoid contact with each other and witnesses, surrender travel documents and use only one phone. Defence lawyers cited family support, schooling and forthcoming HSC exams, but the judge said such factors had little bearing on bail; the cases return to court in October.