Police want to speak to this man about an assault on Australia Day.By Bridget Brady
POLICE have encouraged onlookers who witness assaults to consider their own safety and refrain from stepping in to render assistance.
The advice comes as things turned ugly for a Good Samaritan in Cranbourne who may lose his finger after he tried to help a woman who was being assaulted.
A 35-year-old Skye man was driving along Hall Road in Cranbourne West about 8.30pm on Australia Day when he noticed a woman curled over at the back of a car, being assaulted by a man.
The Skye man stopped and got out of his car to help the woman, yelling out for the man to stop his attack.
Police said the person assaulting the woman, described as of African appearance, pulled out a long metal bar and swung it at the Skye man.
The man put his arms up in self-defence, and the bar hit him on the outside of his left hand, making a loud cracking noise.
The woman was told to get up and the man drove off along Hall Road towards Seaford in a light-blue Commodore, leaving the Skye man on the ground in excruciating pain.
Detective Senior Constable Paul Stow said the bottom knuckle of the man’s finger was completely destroyed. There was a chance it could be repaired, he said, but if it wasn’t successful his finger may have to be amputated.
Sen Const Stow encouraged people who noticed similar incidents to call triple zero, saying the helper had been shaken up by the incident.
“He’s trying to be a Good Samaritan and stop what appeared to be a domestic incident in a street and, as so commonly happens, he’s been turned against,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it’s one of those things that you never know what’s going to happen.
“The best thing is to keep your distance and contact police.”
Police are concerned for the welfare of the woman, who was described as African and wearing a light blue knee-length dress with short sleeves.
The offender was described as African, 170 to 175cm tall, skinny build, short curly hair, wearing black jeans and a royal blue T-shirt.
Anyone with information on the assault should contact the Narre Warren police station on 9705 3111.
