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‘Coward punches’ no laughing matter Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A NIGHT out at the movies in Frankston turned ugly for a young man and his girlfriend last week. Blake Everett, a 19-year-old stand-up comedian from Coburg, and his girlfriend, Alanah Parkin, were walking from the train station to the Hoyts cinema complex in Wells St at about 6pm last Monday evening (6 June) when they passed a group of youths. One of the youths asked Everett for a cigarette before launching an unprovoked attack on the teen. Mr Everett, whose Ready Since I Was 5 show debuted at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year, took to Facebook the day after the incident to detail the cowardly attack. “So, last night I got “king hit” in Frankston... that’s the most cliche sentence I never thought I’d say,” he began before describing the previous evening’s assault. After saying “sorry, don’t have one” to the request for a cigarette Mr Everett said: “Five seconds later, and five metres from the doors of the cinema, I heard some noise and next thing I knew someone had slammed into us and smashed his fist into the front of my head. “Shocked by the situation, I quickly put my hands up to protect myself as he continued to use my head as a punching bag six-eight more times. I then dropped my bag and managed to move forward away from the situation.” The attacker, described as “a Maori boy” stole Mr Everett’s bag but “an African boy” stepped forward and handed him the bag back “while holding the
Punch line: Comedian Blake Everett was punched repeatedly in Frankston last Monday and needed seven stitches for a cut on his head. Pictures source: Facebook
Maori boy back”. Mr Everett and his girlfriend then headed into the cinema building foyer and he momentarily collapsed with blood gushing from a head wound. Cinema staff helped the couple and witnesses called police. “Within 20 minutes I was in the back of an ambulance ... at the hospital I received seven stitches for my head wound. It’s quite bruised and sore, and I’m glad it was me and not my girlfriend who was hurt. Thanks to all who helped, especially my girlfriend for holding my hand and being there as my head was stitched up.” Police confirmed a 16-year-old youth was arrested and interviewed about two alleged assaults in Frankston last Monday night including an earlier attack on a 44-year-old man a few minutes before Mr Everett was punched several times on Wells St. “The teenager was charged with vari-
ous offences relating to assault and will appear at a children’s court later this month,” police media officer Thomas O’Byrne said. Channel 9 News reported the arrested teen as “part of a group that associates itself with the Apex gang”. Police could not verify this information when contacted by The Times. Before last Monday’s unprovoked attack Mr Everett had previously joked on Facebook in December last year about potentially finding trouble in Frankston. The self-described “gentle giant” uploaded a photo of himself lying on the ground with apparent fake blood makeup and wrote: “Apparently taking a leisurely stroll through Frankston isn’t a thing one can simply do...”. Attempts to speak to Mr Everett before publication were unsuccessful. - with Stephen Taylor
Party ends on sour note
UP to 30 Islander and Sudanese youths turned a Frankston 16-year-old’s party into a war zone, Friday 3 June. Police said the youths – many sporting bandanas and possibly gang colours – smashed windows and burnt holes in the walls and carpets, smashed the headlight of the family car and stole various items, including mobile phones. Various other guests were assaulted, with one 16-year-old staggering along the street and collapsing outside the house of a neighbour, who called an ambulance. He was taken to Frankston hospital with a possible broken cheekbone. The damage bill is said to be around $1500. But the parents at the house in Frome Av may have been partly to blame for the chaos, police said, as the supposedly supervised party was advertised on Facebook with an admission price of $10 a head charged at the door. Police said the trouble makers arrived at 8.30pm but police were not called until 11.30pm, when they shut the party down. Detective Senior Constable Ashley Eames, of Frankston CIU, said the youths, aged 15-20, could not be called gate crashers if they paid to enter like everyone else. “We have had reports of six robberies on the night – including the stealing of $150 in party proceeds from one guest – but, so far, no one’s come forward to report them or to make a complaint,” he said. “We certainly don’t want kids standing over other kids, and we urge anyone who had items stolen to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.”
Car theft leads to arrests
POLICE searching for a Ford Territory stolen from a property at Frankston South, Monday 6 June, arrested five teenagers in Frankston for a range of offences. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Alistair Hansen, of Frankston CIU, said a 16-year-old youth of Frankston, 19-year-old man of Cranbourne, 14-year-old girl of Seaford, 14-yearold girl of Frankston, and a 15-yearold girl of Frankston, had been charged with aggravated burglaries in Frankston South and Cranbourne, theft of cars in Cranbourne, driving offences, evading police, dangerous driving, petrol theft and unlicenced driving. The 16-year-old was remanded in custody. The others were bailed to appear at Frankston Children’s Court at a later date. None is believed to be members of the Apex gang. Three other offenders are still at large. Detective Hansen said homeowners were making it too easy for thieves by leaving doors unlocked, especially at night. “They should be more vigilant and take responsibility for their actions, he said.
Woman attacked
A CARRUM Downs woman walking to her car, 4.30am, Monday 6 June, was assaulted by an unknown man, Frankston police said. The woman, 28, was leaving her house in Blackwattle Way when she said a man in his 40s, 1.77cm tall, medium build, scuffled with her and tore her clothing. She received a black eye and facial bruising. The man then ran off. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
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Frankston Times 13 June 2016
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