St Kilda Pier Turns Into a War Zone: Lone Norwegian Tourist Savagely Attacked by Gang of Up to Eight Thugs
- A 34-year-old Norwegian tourist suffered a broken arm and facial injuries in the alleged assault at St Kilda Pier last Thursday.
- The victim was accused of taking photos of people, but police say his phone was checked and there was no incriminating evidence.
- A 19-year-old man has been charged over the alleged attack, but police are still hunting for the other offenders.
- The incident has been slammed as “disgusting behaviour” by police, who are urging anyone with information to come forward.
In a shocking display of violence, a Norwegian tourist was brutally attacked by a gang of up to eight people at Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Pier. The 34-year-old victim, who was enjoying the summer weather, was left with a broken arm and facial injuries after the alleged assault.
According to police, the group accused the tourist of taking photos of people at the pier, but a check of his phone revealed no incriminating evidence. “It seems to me as if they’ve used that as an excuse to confront this man and then when it’s not followed through, they’ve assaulted him anyway,” Detective Senior Constable Jesse Coppel said.
The incident, which was witnessed by a large number of bystanders, has been slammed as “disgusting behaviour” by police. “People come to see St Kilda. They come to see the beach. They come to see the sights. They deserve to be safe on the beach, but people behaving in this manner — it’s deplorable. It doesn’t belong here,” Constable Coppel said.
A 19-year-old Deer Park man turned himself in to police on Christmas Eve, but police are still searching for the other alleged offenders. Images of three men and a woman, all in their early 20s or late teens, have been released by police, who are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“The information we have indicates that people have seen the contents of his phone prior to it being destroyed and that there was nothing of that nature on the phone,” Constable Coppel said. The victim’s phone was thrown into the ocean during the incident, cutting his Christmas holiday short.
Police are urging anyone who saw or filmed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The victim has since flown home, but the incident has left a sour taste in the mouths of Melburnians, who are demanding justice for the Norwegian tourist.