CCTV video shows attack on Ali Kebabs shop owner in Cairns CBD

A violent kebab shop attack has left a Cairns businessman battered, bruised and struggling to keep his terrified staff at work. WATCH THE VIDEO

A VIOLENT kebab shop attack has left a Cairns businessman battered, bruised and struggling to keep his terrified staff at work.

Ali Kebabs owner Syed Ali was serving a steady stream of punters spilling out of the Woolshed when he became the victim of an unprovoked attack at 1.15am on Monday.

CCTV footage shows a man walking up, grabbing Mr Ali by his left arm – already broken and in a cast – and repeatedly taking shots at his face.

The man then grabs the till and EFTPOS machine and smashes them on the ground before leaving the scene.

Ali Kebabs owner Syed Ali was attacked in his own kebab shop in the early hours of Monday morning. The offender smashed Mr Ali's cash register and EFTPOS machine, leaving him unable to open the shop. Picture: Brendan Radke

Multiple witnesses can be seen taking out their phones to film the attack, which lasted a bit longer than a minute.

The attack left Mr Ali shaken and concerned the man might return.

“I had a broken arm – I play cricket for Barron River and I broke it in the grand final,” he said.

“He held my broken arm and punched me in the face.”

The damage to the shop was estimated at about $4000.

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“It’s not the money, it’s the attitude,” Mr Ali said.

“I told the cops, listen, he’s in my shop, what would happen if I punched him back?

“I’m an ex-army officer.

“If I react badly, they will put me in jail.”

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Mr Ali said the attack and other recent experiences of aggression and anti-social behaviour had made it hard to find staff.

“I take all the punches, I take the bullying, my staff have left the job and my own sons don’t want to work there anymore,” he said.

He hoped the police would be quick in tracking down the culprit.

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A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed the complaint was being investigated.

“Investigations into the incident are ongoing,” he said.

“Police continue to work relentlessly to prevent and disrupt property crime and vehicle theft in the greater Cairns area.”

Police crime data show there were 62 offences recorded solely within the Cairns CBD over the week to Wednesday.

They included 17 good order offences, 12 assaults, nine thefts and eight drug offences.

The biggest clusters were around the Shields and Lake St area – the very spot Ali Kebabs calls home.

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Originally published as CCTV video shows attack on Ali Kebabs shop owner in Cairns CBD