Man viciously bashed in St Kilda beach brawl

A MAN was bashed and whipped with a belt during a vicious brawl on St Kilda beach, in Melbourne’s southeast.

Andrew was bashed and whipped with a belt by a gang. Picture: Channel 10

A MAN was bashed and whipped with a belt during a vicious brawl on St Kilda beach, in Melbourne’s southeast.

Two tradies working on the St Kilda beach surf club knocked off work when a gang began destroying temporary fencing after a brawl erupted on the beach.

The men started yelling for them to stop, and the gang turned on them, punching and kicking the men until they blacked out.

One of the tradies Andrew, told Ten Eyewitness News he was whipped with a belt while his workmate Nathan, was bashed by a dozen men of African appearance.

It is believed the gang had been terrorising beachgoers for hours, stealing their phones, bikes and other possessions. Police were called to the scene but the gang would disperse before meeting up again to continue harassing people.

“This was just animals, you know, that’s the best description I can think of, they were just animals,” Andrew told Ten News from his hospital bed.

Andrew’s eye was bruised during the attack. Picture: Channel 10

The 21-year-old said the people who bashed him didn’t say a word before the attack, and king hit him before he was kicked, stomped on and whipped with a belt.

Victoria Police Inspector Jason Kelly told Ten News police located a knife.

It is believed it belonged to the gang.

Witnesses said the two tradies were beaten and bloodied and Andrew’s workmate was left with a broken nose.

“The only thing in my head was to find out if he was OK, I didn’t give a s*** about me. I just wanted him to be OK,” Andrew said.

Both the men were rushed to The Alfred hospital.

Police inspect the scene at St Kilda where a brawl broke out. Picture: Channel 10

Andrew’s mother was left in shock as she sat by her son’s bedside.

“It’s just wrong. Where are their parents? I’m sorry, but where are they’re parents? What are they doing?” she told Ten News.

A Victoria Police spokesman said between 10 and 30 people were involved in the brawl leading up to Andrew’s bashing, and a teenage boy and girl were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

“This matter will be fully investigated and those responsible will be identified,” Insp Kelly said.

Anybody with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential reports at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au