Police are investigating an attack that’s left a man fighting for his life in a Sydney hospital. Officers were called to Campbell Parade at Bondi about 1.45am (Saturday 14 December 2013) and located a 23-year-old man lying semi-conscious on the ground. Police were told he had been punched by another man who then stomped on his head. The victim is believed to have been drinking with dozens of other people in a park adjacent to Bondi Beach prior to the attack. He remains in an induced coma in St Vincent’s Hospital where his injuries have been described as life-threatening. Investigations are continuing.
It was one of several violent, alcohol-related incidents that have angered senior police on the first night of Operation Unite. New South Wales Police arrested 213 people and laid 424 charges during the opening phase of the two-night Australasia-wide police blitz. Officers conducted 14,618 random breath tests and booked 88 motorists for drink-driving. Another eight were booked for driving whilst disqualified. Seven people were admitted to sobering up centres by police in Sydney and Wollongong. While most revellers behaved themselves, police have expressed concern about a number of isolated acts of alcohol-related violence.
“Despite all our warnings and the scores of extra police on patrol right across the state, a handful of people have set out to harm others,” NSW Operation Unite Commander, Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys, said.
“What these offenders don’t realise that in many cases, their actions are being recorded on CCTV cameras and witnessed by officers within the Police Operations Centre,” Assistant Commissioner Worboys said. “That footage will serve to identify the culprits and support our resulting prosecutions.”
Among other events recorded overnight:
– A man has almost had his ear severed in an alleged glassing attack at a hotel at Albion Park Rail, south of Wollongong. Police were called to the pub on the Princes Highway about 10pm yesterday following reports a man had been king-hit and later glassed. They located a woman celebrating her 21st birthday. She had allegedly been punched in the mouth by a man holding a glass bottle and suffered a cut upper lip. Police then found the second victim, a 28-year-old man, who allegedly had been struck with the bottle in the right ear, causing a severe laceration. Three men have been taken into custody and are assisting Lake Illawarra detectives with their inquiries.
– Police at Leichhardt Local Area Command are investigating a king-hit attack that knocked a man unconscious overnight at Rozelle. It’s believed the 48-year-old victim was followed outside a hotel at the corner of Darling and Red Lion Street and punched in the head from behind. He fell to the ground unconscious. Police and ambulance paramedics were called and a crime scene was established. The victim was admitted to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, his condition is being further assessed. Leichhardt Detectives are investigating.
– A 32-year-old man has been arrested and admitted to hospital for mental health assessment after allegedly striking an officer over the head with a chair at Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west. About 10.30pm yesterday, Police tried to pull over a vehicle without its headlights on, however it allegedly continued along Elizabeth Drive, initiating a short pursuit. Officers confronted the driver at a nearby club when it’s alleged he attempted to assault police. Officers used OC spray but the man ran inside the club. When the Traffic and Highway Patrol officers chased him into a function room, it’s alleged he struck a senior constable over the head with a chair. The policeman received a small wound to the head. Another officer deployed his Taser and took the driver into custody.
– Police are investigating a reported stomping incident during an alleged attack in a Sydney nightclub. The victim told police he and a friend were set upon by four men about 11.30pm yesterday near the corner of Market and Sussex Streets. It’s alleged the man was punched to the ground and stomped on the head. He was treated at the scene.
– Police at Olympic Park in Sydney have arrested a man they alleged deliberately urinated on a Highway Patrol car. Officers were awaiting the arrival of an ambulance to tend to an intoxicated man after a concert around 11.30pm yesterday when it’s alleged another man walked to the rear of the police car and as its lights flashed, relieved himself. The police officers were standing a few metres away and immediately arrested the 26-year-old man from Kellyville Ridge. He has been issued with a Criminal Infringement Notice for offensive behaviour.
– A man has been arrested over the alleged possession of a replica pistol and drugs during a search by Public Order and Riot Squad officers at Kings Cross. The PORS officers had stopped the man in his vehicle last night for a random breath test. They searched the man, allegedly locating the weapon in his underwear. They also allegedly found a small amount of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) on his person. The driver was taken into custody and investigations are continuing.
– A man has been arrested within seconds of a king-hit attack this morning at Kings Cross. The victim was standing by Darlinghurst Road just before 3am when he was allegedly punched in the face. Two Police Rescue officers were standing several metres away and witnessed the alleged assault. They quickly responded, along with local uniformed officers, and arrested the suspect, who is assisting with inquiries at the Kings Cross Police Station.
– A 25-year-old man was knocked unconscious after falling two storeys from a hotel balcony at Neutral Bay last night. The incident occurred about 9.15pm. The man was treated at the scene for a head wound.
– A woman was lucky to escape serious injury after falling out of a moving taxi early this morning in Darlinghurst. When police arrived at the scene in Oxford Street, they were told the cab failed to stop after the incident. The woman received minor injuries and refused medical treatment.
Source: NSW Police News