Fitzroy Gardens assault: woman punched in the face by attacker who followed her through park
For 30 terrifying minutes, a French engineer was followed through an inner-city park before being punched by a man in a “sickening” attack.
Police & Courts
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A young French woman feared for her life when a “mad” man stalked her through parks in central Melbourne before punching her in the face.
Lisa, 24, broke down in tears as she called on the public to help catch the violent criminal.
“I will always remember his eyes. It was like he wanted to kill me,” she said.
The engineer had just left her home near Yarra Park when she was confronted by the solidly built offender about 6.30pm on Sunday.
For 30 terrifying minutes, he stalked her, bumping her twice before punching her in the face in Fitzroy Gardens.
He tried to chase her down but Lisa outran him, reaching a family for help.
“I don’t know how but I had my legs to run and I remember he tried to run after me,” she said.
Her attacker fled and remains on the run.
Lisa has lived in Melbourne since May and said she no longer feels safe here.
Her family have urged her to return home.
“Now I avoid all the gardens. It is terrible as Fitzroy Gardens used to be my favourite place,” she said.
“I don’t feel safe.”
First Constable Ellen Borg described the attack as “sickening”.
“As a police officer and as a female who is also the same age as the victim, it is a truly sickening attack,” she said.
“It’s a very brazen attack considering, you know, its 6:30 at night so it’s broad daylight.
“The propensity of the violence shown at random is truly concerning.”
The man was thought to be aged between 40 and 45, 170cm tall, caucasian with brown eyes, brown hair, facial hair and a solid build.
A facefit image of the man was released by police on Wednesday morning in a bid to identify him.
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Police said he later assaulted the woman while she was standing near the fairies tree in Fitzroy Gardens.
The fairies tree is a red gum stump that was carved and painted with fairies, fairytale creatures and native Australian animals by artist Ola Cohn between 1931 to 1934.
Investigators want to hear from witnesses or anyone that may have been in the area at the time.
Details to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.