Bashing victim David.
KIM WATERS
“SELF-DEFENCE lessons” are the aim of an Ocean Grove man who suffered a bashing when trying to help a woman outside Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium last Friday night.
David, who wanted his surname withheld, said he was leaving a Carlton-Geelong match when he noticed a drunken couple arguing loudly on the walkway to Southern Cross Station.
The 41-year-old North Melbourne supporter said he intervened when the man apparently became violent and “pushed” the woman.
Victoria Police Constable Hannah Smith said the man punched David to the face “numerous” times before continuing the attack with kicks when he fell to the ground.
A friend picked up David but the man resumed the attack, knocking him to the ground again, Const Smith said.
The man and woman fled in a taxi from which they ran away without paying.
David vowed he would “do it all again” if he encountered a similar situation.
“I might get some self-defence lessons,” he laughed.
“It’s just what you do.”
David said his injuries had forced him to take leave from a new hospitality job after eight months seeking work.
He was concerned about explaining the injuries to his children but told them he was hurt while trying to do the right thing.
