A young British tourist has recounted the “scary” moment when she was punched in the face during a night out in Melbourne’s inner suburbs last month.
Poppy, 20, was walking along Swan Street in Richmond with her friends when a group of men approached her about 11.45pm on September 21.
One of the men began waving a scarf or flag in her face before she attempted to push him away when he punched her.
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“I went to push him away to leave me alone. He then punched me. I don’t remember much apart from getting off the ground and walking away,” Poppy told reporters today.
“It was scary.”
The group walked off with bystanders stepping in to make sure she was okay.
“I wasn’t with a lot of people and it was really intimidating. They were being really rowdy because a football game just finished, they were quite boisterous,” she said.
Poppy was taken to hospital where she needed surgery for a fractured jaw, along with extensive dental work.
“I have had stitches from my left ear to my cheek to my mouth. I had to have a wisdom tooth taken out. I have two titanium plates (in my jaw),” she said.
“It has put me off I don’t want to happen again and I don’t really feel safe.”
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Senior Constable Elissa Dykstra described the actions of the unknown man as “disgusting”.
“Any behaviour like this is concerning and police do not condemn any violence, particularly to women,” she said.
“The footage is pretty horrific. It’s absolutely disturbing. Any person should be able to go out on a Saturday and enjoy your time, especially being a (young) female in the company of her friends.”
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Police have released images and CCTV of a man they believe may be able to help the investigation.
He is believed to be of Caucasian appearance, of medium build, aged between 20 and 30 years, about 176cm tall, with short, dark brown hair, a short beard, and a moustache.
He was wearing a cream jacket, white t-shirt, and black jeans.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
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