Attack shock

By Alison Noonan
A YOUNG Devon Meadows family was showered with broken glass as they sat in their car during a violent attack by a group of youths on Saturday night.
Pat, who asked that his surname be withheld, said he was driving home from birthday celebrations with his wife and three children when the assault took place about 9.45pm.
“I was travelling along Ballarto Road when the car in front slowed down and I got caught behind,” he said.
“All of a sudden a group of about 20 to 25 teenagers ran out from a party and began to attack the car in front with what looked like a steel bar.”
The horrified father said his family watched in terror as the crowd then took to his car with the pole, smashing the side window and door of his fourwheel drive where his children sat helplessly in the back.
“My 15yearold son, sevenyearold daughter and fiveyearold son were terrified,” he said.
“They were covered in glass and have cuts all over them.
“My son had fallen asleep with his head against the window.
“It is so lucky they didn’t hit that side of the car or they would have hit him in the head.”
Pat said he sped from the scene as soon as the car in front drove away, and immediately reported the incident to police.
“I didn’t want to stop and confront the group because I feared I would get bashed,” he said.
“I had my whole family in the car so I just went straight to the police.”
Pat said his wife and children were still traumatised by the brutal incident, leaving him to question the mentality of the group responsible.
“My kids are distraught. It was really scary,” he said.
“I have a 15 year old and we have brought him up as a nice, decent kid.
“These kids must think they’re indestructible.
“They were underage and alcoholfuelled, but where are they getting the alcohol?
“And where are the parents? Parents need to be responsible for kids drinking at parties.
“All the recent talk of a youth curfew might need more thought,” Pat said.
Police Region 5 media coordinator Senior Constable Amanda Hardy said police attended the Ballarto Road party following a report of an assault.
She said police saw no sign of teenagers on the road but confirmed that members spoke to the party’s organisers.
“Police are currently looking into the matter,” she said.
Sen Const Hardy said police did not condone unlawful behaviour at parties and warned hosts would be held responsible for the actions of their guests.
“Party organisers have to be responsible for the actions of attendees, including responsible serving of alcohol and breach of peace issues,” she said.