Australian charged with allegedly assaulting taxi driver in Bali
An Australian mechanical fitter is locked up in a Kuta jail cell accused of violently headbutting and bashing a taxi driver and smashing his phone outside a Bali nightclub.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An Australian mechanical fitter is locked up in a Kuta jail cell accused of violently headbutting and bashing a taxi driver in Bali.
Twenty-three-year-old Tore Gerard Vincenzo Bempasciuto, from Perth’s south eastern
suburb of Ferndale, is accused of punching the taxi driver in the face and trashing his
Samsung mobile phone outside of Legian’s LXXY bar at 4.15am yesterday.
He has the dubious honour of being the first Aussie to be arrested for an alleged assault
on the paradise island this year.
According to Kuta police, an enraged and drunk Bempasciuto approached taxi driver
Saiful Nurokhim, 43, and brutally head-butted the man, snatched his mobile phone and
slammed it to the ground smashing it to pieces.
Bempasciuto allegedly fled the scene with his female companion and was chased by the
taxi driver. When the cab driver caught up with Bempasciuto, a witness said the Aussie
repeatedly punched the 43-year-old cab driver in the face until they both collapsed to the
ground.
The police report claims that CCTV footage shows Bempasciuto still punching Mr
Nurokhim as they fell to the wet footpath. Another driver who was trying to help Mr
Nurokhim was also allegedly punched to the head by Bempascuito.
According to the police report Bempasciuto and his girlfriend ran away from the scene
but slipped and fell outside of LXXY’s Bar. The couple got up and ran to a nearby mini
mart, where Bempasciuto was arrested while hiding on the third floor with his girlfriend.
Images of Mr Nurokhim show his swollen and bloodied face.
Another taxi driver name Zainal, who witnessed the alleged assault, told police that
Bempasciuto approached the group of drivers ranting about stealing in Bali before he
launched the attack on Mr Nurokhim.
According to Kuta police Bempasciuto claims that he was followed by some locals while
in the Bounty nightclub and then felt that his iPhone 11 was missing. He also claims to
have lost cash.
During a police interview Bempasciuto, who is on an extended holiday in Bali, has reportedly admitted to the assault.
“There are the three (lots) of evidence to establish him as a suspect, namely the CCTV, the statements of four witnesses and the suspect’s confession. The suspect admitted to beating the victim but claims he was not drunk,” said Chief Detective of Kuta Police Mr Putu Ika Prabawa.
Police want to interview Bempasciuto’s girlfriend, who has not been named.
“My client is very sorry and has apologised to the victim. He may have been influenced by alcohol. My client had his phone and wallet stolen before the incident with the victim. He met the taxi driver and he was emotional,” said Bempasciuto’s lawyer Daniar Tri Sasongko.
The lawyer said the Australian was sleeping so no discussion had taken place about a possible ‘peace agreement’ between the two men.
In Indonesia such agreements are the first step to resolving assault charges and often includes thousands of dollars in compensation being paid to the victim.
Originally published as Australian charged with allegedly assaulting taxi driver in Bali
Support for Australian republic falls under King Charles
Australians have revealed why they believe the country should remain a constitutional monarchy, as well as who their favourite royals are. See the results and have your say.
Prepare for a summer of discontent
The timing of the next federal election is likely to condemn us to an excruciatingly long unofficial campaign, sapping all the fun to Christmas and beyond, writes Patrick Carlyon.