Police charge three men over restaurant attack, following fiery Whittlesea council meeting
A man says he was left bruised and bloodied after allegedly being bashed inside a South Morang restaurant in the fallout from a heated Whittlesea Council meeting.
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Three men have been arrested after another man was allegedly attacked and beaten at a South Morang restaurant following a heated December 17 Whittlesea Council meeting.
Speaking exclusively to Leader, the victim, in his mid-20s, alleged a white van followed him from council offices at Ferres Blvd to Ribs & Burgers off McDonalds Rd. Leader has chosen not to name the victim.
He said he parked his car and went inside the restaurant about 7.20pm.
“Then 15 minutes later about 15 people came inside and surrounded me,” he said.
“One of them asked ‘what the f**k are you doing here’ and before I could answer I was coward punched at the back of my head.”
The victim said he immediately threw his arms above his head to protect his skull.
“They were screaming like animals and just constantly punching me in the head and face — the whole thing lasted for about 40 seconds.”
The victim said he could have “easily ended up in intensive care or even died” if he had not protected his head and face.
He then said he was called a “Greek c***” before chasing his alleged attackers outside the restaurant.
He said he managed to snap photos of the car before it sped off.
The victim, whose car was also allegedly defaced, went to the Northern Hospital later that night with a fractured finger and minor head injuries.
The fiery council meeting was held just days after Whittlesea Mayor Emilia Sterjova’s controversial use of a “culturally offensive” Star of Vergina flag.
The 23-year-old posted the photo to Facebook showing her dancing with the flag at a language graduation ceremony, sparking tension between the Macedonian and Greek communities.
Whittlesea acting chief executive Kelvin Spiller said the attack was not within the council precinct and was a Victoria Police matter.
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A 30-year-old Taylors Hill man, 31-year-old Doncaster East man and a 25-year-old man from Taylors Hill were charged earlier this week with affray and intentionally causing injury.
They were bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court in June.