Youth prison officer assaulted in Melbourne’s CBD by ex-inmate
A dancer who performed during Israel Adesanya's entrance at Marvel Stadium’s UFC show has been bashed in Melbourne’s CBD, after he was recognised by an ex-inmate of the youth justice centre he works at.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A youth prison officer who moonlights as a UFC ring dancer has been bashed by a former inmate.
The 28-year-old man was spotted and attacked at Southern Cross Railway Station after performing at the Marvel Stadium event.
He was with a group of fellow dancers, having watched his friend, mixed martial arts superstar Israel Adesanya, claim the UFC Middleweight Championship.
It’s believed one of the teens responsible recognised the victim from the Parkville Youth Justice Centre, where he is a member of the elite Safety and Emergency Response Team.
He sustained only minor injuries in the October 6 attack but was off work for several weeks and now fears for his safety in public.
A youth justice source told the Sunday Herald Sun: “It is bad enough that they are getting attacked inside Parkville and Malmsbury but to be attacked in the community when going about your day is just not on.”
“No one deserves that,’’ they said.
The worker is part of a hip-hop dance group and performed alongside Adesanya as he entered the Octagon.
The fighting superstar later credited the dance routine with his “lifelong” friends for helping him relax before a stunning win over Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker.
“I danced with my ‘day ones,’ my ‘day fives’ — guys I’ve known from way back — to have them set the tone for me and just have fun,’’ Adesanya said.
“When I’m having fun, I’m the best in the world.”
It comes amid a spate of violence within Victoria’s youth justice system.
Earlier this month Victoria’s workplace watchdog charged the Department of Justice after a teen thug scalped a female prison worker with a guitar.
Dozens of staff also walked off the job at the Malmsbury Youth Justice centre when a teen inmate clubbed an officer with a plastic cricket bat.
Staff at the Parkville Youth Justice Centre have been attacked at a rate of almost once a day.
Victoria Police confirmed “a number of young people” physically assaulted a 28-year-old man near Southern Cross Railway Station between 4pm and 6pm.
“The investigation remains ongoing,’’ a spokeswoman said.
Anyone with information was urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.