Vic: Gang attacks Xmas charity workers
26 Dec 2008 2:05 PM
MELBOURNE, Dec 26 AAP - A charity worker and his wife were attacked by a gang of youths as they investigated a disturbance outside their Melbourne home on Christmas Eve.
The couple, who gave their names only as Paul and Ilse, told reporters they heard a loud bang outside their home in Noble Park, in the city's south-east, around 11.30pm on Wednesday.
Paul said he went outside to see four men who had kicked over a bin and after confronting them he was attacked in front of his wife.
The attackers kicked and punched the 56-year-old man about the face and head before one of the attackers turned on his wife, 68.
The gang laughed and mocked the couple throughout the attack.
"My Christmas has been ruined. My Christmas is well and truly done and dusted. It's one I will remember for all the wrong reasons," Paul told reporters in Melbourne.
Detective Sergeant Michael Martin, of Victoria police, described the attack as "cowardly".
"This attack was outrageous and a case of pack mentality," Det Sgt Martin said.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
