Man faces court over alleged schoolgirl assault in Werribee McDonald’s
Vicious schoolyard rumours are said to have sparked an alleged assault by a grown man on a schoolgirl at a McDonald’s carpark in Melbourne’s west this week.
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Vicious schoolyard rumours are said to have sparked an alleged assault by a grown man on a schoolgirl at a McDonald’s carpark in Melbourne’s west this week.
Michael Cuzzupe will remain behind bars after he was charged with a bevy of assault related offences following the incident involving a 14-year-old girl on Tuesday.
Sickening footage of the alleged brawl appears to show the step father-of-two grabbing the teenager by the neck, punching her in the head and head butting her in the Werribee carpark.
The 47-year-old was on bail for six separate criminal matters at the time.
Mr Cuzzupe appeared agitated and fought back tears as he fronted the Sunshine Magistrates Court this afternoon, mouthing “I love you” to his visibly distressed partner and stepchildren who were in the courtroom.
He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody until later this month.
Outside court his partner Nikki Mitchell said her children were the true victims.
Ms Mitchell said the young girl in the footage had made her family’s life “hell” for the past two years and that they had reached breaking point.
“She’s not the one who’s getting bullied here, my daughter is,” she said.
“I know it’s wrong to hit a child,
“But how far does she want to push parents,” she said.
When asked if she believed her partner should be punished for allegedly assaulting the girl, she said: “no way” and claimed the girl hit Mr Cuzzupe first.
Ms Mitchell said her and Mr Cuzzupe went to the fast food carpark after receiving a distressed call from her daughter.
Mr Cuzzupe has been charged with assault, recklessly and intentionally causing injury, affray and committing and indictable offence while on bail.
He will return to court on May 23.