The teenage son of a former AFL player bashed a schoolboy and knocked him unconscious because he had red hair, a children’s court heard on Wednesday.

Seven News reports the 15-year-old bully escaped with probation despite the magistrate saying the victim could have been killed.

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According to Seven, the court heart that in October last year the 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked another teenager who was waiting for a bus at Ringwood Station, in Melbourne.

This was captured on CCTV with the teen king-hitting the schoolboy, then punching and kicking him as he lay unconscious, for no other reason than his bright red hair.

The court was told because the incident happened after school, it was too early for PSOs to be on duty.

The magistrate said the teen lacked remorse.

“It’s an extraordinarily vicious thing to do,” the magistrate said.

“He tried to justify it in some way, that is concerning.”

Outside the court the teen told Seven News “yeah, I’m sorry”.

Seven News reported that two weeks after the Ringwood assault, the young thug struck again at Mooroolbark football oval, where he and a mate set upon two young men walking past.

The young men were repeatedly punched and head-butted, Seven reported.

The network was told there were other attacks by the teen, however the victims have not come forward.

The former AFL father was in court to offer support to his son, when the magistrate imposed a punishment of 12 month probation and counselling.