Bentleigh East teen’s neck broken in “vicious, unprovoked” attack
A 19-year-old Bentleigh East man needs help showering and dressing after a “vicious and unprovoked” attack at a Mornington Peninsula swimming hole.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 19-year-old Bentleigh East man is yet to return to work and needs help showering and dressing after a “vicious and unprovoked” attack at a Mornington Peninsula swimming hole.
The young man, who was left with a fractured neck at Devilbend Natural Features Reserve on Sunday, January 10, has now left The Alfred and is home with his family.
But he is awaiting further scans and it is not clear when he will be able to return to his job in traffic management.
Police are still urging witnesses to come forward after the teen was punched in the face and kicked in the back of the head at the Graydens Road park.
Senior Constable Tim Jamieson of Mornington Peninsula Criminal Investigation Unit said the victim went to the Tuerong reserve for a swim with four mates including a 17-year-old girl, and three men, aged 18 and 19.
He said another man in a group of about 10 threw a rock at the victim “for no reason” as he was walking towards the car park.
“He narrowly missed the victim who said something along the lines of ‘Nice throw mate’ and the man who threw the rock reacted very aggressively.
“He punched the victim in the face and he fell to the ground where he was kicked in the back of the head.
“It was a “nasty, vicious and unprovoked” attack. The victim was passive and no threat.”
Sen-Constable Jamieson said the victim was unconscious for about 40 seconds and was groggy and confused when he regained consciousness.
“His friends helped him to the car and when he complained of a severe pain in the back of his neck they rang his parents for advice and then drove him to Sandringham Hospital.”
The teen was assessed and it was discovered he had a fractured neck so he was transferred to The Alfred, where he remains for further treatment.
Sen-Constable Jamieson said police wanted to speak to any witnesses and were especially interested in dashcam footage from vehicles at the car park.
“There were three Commodores with P plates parked next to each other that we think were driven to the reserve by the group of men involved in the attack,” he said.
One of the vehicles was described as a blue Holden Calais VZ and the other as a silver Commodore.
The offender was described as Maori or Islander in appearance, about 183cm tall with black curly hair, shaved on both sides.
He has a solid build with a tattoo on his chest.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
