Woman, 68, punched with ‘a full closed fist’ says witness

A 68-year-old woman was punched in the face so hard she spun around and landed face first in the sand, according to a woman who witnessed the attack on a north Brisbane beach.

Police are appealing for information after a 68-year-old woman was punched at Sandgate on October 22. Picture: Richard Walker

A 68-YEAR-OLD woman was punched in the face so hard she spun around and landed face first in the sand, according to a woman who witnessed the attack on a north Brisbane beach.

The incident happened at Sandgate just after 7am yesterday.

Jessica Ward said a man used “a full closed fist punch like you see in a boxing ring” before running off.

“It basically spun her around. It looked like, as she fell, she fell side on. Just boom and she went face down in the sand and she was motionless,” Miss Ward said.

People walking along the Sandgate foreshore, where a 68-year-old woman was punched in the face. Picture: Liam Kidston.

It was low tide and Miss Ward was sitting on a park bench off Flinders Pde when she spotted the elderly woman and a young man who was quite a bit taller than her.

“I saw that their two dogs were playing and then I saw her bending down to pick something up. I later discovered it was her doggy doo.

“Then she reached out to give a poo bag to the guy because his dog went to the toilet.

“I didn’t hear any conversation but all I saw was him walking towards her. He got right up close to her, but he approached her — from what I could see — in quite an aggressive manner.

“She leaned back and took a couple steps and that’s when I realised something was wrong, based on what I could see from their body language.

“I stood up to walk towards them to see if they were okay and that’s when I saw him punch her in the face really hard.

“I saw him run really fast to the steps to run away and I yelled ‘get back here you piece of shit, look what you’ve done’.

“He kept running and called out for his dog — I can’t remember the dog’s name — and the dog chased after him.

“I realised I wouldn’t catch him so I looked and saw the woman was still lying face down but trying to get up. I went to her.

“She was dizzy and by the time we got to the steps and back on the footpath she was very dizzy and sweaty and had a very bloody chin from a cut lip, and she had sand all over her arm.”

The incident occurred on the Sandgate waterfront opposite the former Baptist Church. Picture: James Robertson

Miss Ward said a couple stopped and rang triple-0 for an ambulance.

“The woman said she didn’t want an ambulance, she just wanted to go home but I told her she was in shock and this was quite serious. This was a random attack.

“It was a good 10 minutes and people were starting to stop and the lady was starting to panic, so I said let’s go to the police station, it’s really close, and the ambulance can check you out there.

“So I took her to the police station and they radioed the ambulance to meet her there.”

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Miss Ward said she was still trying to process what she felt.

“I wouldn’t say I was shocked or traumatised, it was oh my God how dare you!

“I felt really angry actually that he hit her and then I just felt I had to help her and make sure she was okay.

“I still don’t understand how it can get from just two dogs playing and the owners talking and then he’s pissed off with her.

“Apart from feeling angry, I feel sad that potentially that lady will be feeling fearful now. I’m assuming she wouldn’t feel that comfortable walking her dog down on the beach.”

Sandgate Police acting officer in charge Senior Sergeant Tony O’Neil said the elderly woman had been released from hospital.

“She’s obviously shaken, bruised and swollen but thankfully nothing’s broken,” he said.

Sen-Sgt O’Neil said this was an unprovoked attack and urged anyone who saw the incident or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage to phone Policelink on 131 444, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit Sandgate station on Brighton Rd.

The man is described as aged in his 30s, caucasian with an olive complexion, about 180cm tall and was wearing a yellow top, dark pants, no shoes and walking a grey American Staffy.

He was last seen heading towards Second Ave with his dog.

The incident occurred on the beach in front of the old Baptist Church on Flinders Pde.