Pair charged over violent picnic attack

A pair of suspected coronavirus deniers have been charged for allegedly attacking women having a picnic with their kids in Melbourne’s east.

Victim Jacquelyn and her friend speak to police about a brutal assault outside Box Hill police station. Picture: Tim Carrafa

A pair of suspected coronavirus deniers have been charged for allegedly attacking women having a picnic with their kids in Melbourne’s east.

A man and woman from Box Hill North have been charged after the incident in which a dog was allegedly set upon people at a park on Grosvenor Street at Blackburn North on Thursday afternoon.

The 44-year-old man is charged with two counts of wilfully urging a dog to attack and one of affray while the 35-year-old woman is charged with two counts of unlawful assault and one of affray.

They have both been granted bail to appear before Ringwood Magistrates Court in March.

Mum Jacquelyn became emotional when she told reporters about what allegedly took place in the park.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Graham Ross (right) with the victims of the attack outside of Box Hill Police Station. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“They were trying to rip our masks off and telling us we’re afraid of a cold, and trying to cough on us,” she said on Friday.

The alleged victims, 43 and 51, were setting up for the picnic with their young daughters when another group came into Slater Reserve, police said.

One woman was allegedly put in a choke hold, while the 44-year-old man is also accused of setting a dog on the women and good Samaritans who tried to intervene.

“Two male good Samaritans were also injured during the incident after being bitten on the hand by a dog,” police said in a statement.

The two children involved in the incident were unharmed.

The dog involved in the incident was taken by the local council ranger, Victoria Police said.