The mother of a Malaysian student attacked by a group of men in Melbourne's CBD last Friday, leaving him in an induced coma for several days, has broken down in tears while speaking about her son.Kevindra Joseph, 19, was lost and asking a friend for directions on a mobile phone when he was attacked by a group of men in Little Lonsdale Street, near the intersection of Russell Street, about 2.50am, police said today.
The engineering student, who had been in Australia for about a month, was found unconscious on the footpath and spent several days in an induced coma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He remains in hospital.
Police today released images of two men they believe can assist them with their inquiries, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
His mother, Rohini Devi, today made a tearful appeal for information about her son's attack.
"I believe so much in God and I believe every one of us have God within us and I'm sure some good soul would have seen something that has happened to my son and I want them to come and help me so that this (will) never happen to another child or anybody."
She said her son was recovering gradually, but the attack had affected his memory and left him confused.
"It shouldn't have happened and it shouldn't have happened to anybody," she said. "My son is a very timid kid."
"As far as I know, he has never been into any trouble. He is an excellent student and he is my eldest son."
"He was so keen in coming to Melbourne because his cousins and all are here and he keeps chatting to me and saying 'I'm very fine here, don't worry about me, I'm loving Melbourne' and he's happy."
She said she always thought Melbourne was a safe city, and never expected this.
She said her son had apologised for the impact on his family.
"He becomes very emotional. He starts tearing (up) when he sees me," she said.
"He said he's so sorry that we have to come all the way here and put us in such a difficult position."
Detective Senior Constable Jeff Carrucan, of Melbourne CIU, said it appeared a racial slur was used and that nothing was taken in the attack.
"The victim was on a mobile phone to a friend getting directions to where he was going in Little Collins Street. He was about to turn left in Russell Street when he actually described to his friend the incident as it was occurring," Detective Senior Constable Carrucan said.
"Basically he was walking along the street on the phone just saying `a group of men are approaching me' and then `I'm being attacked' to his friend on the phone."
"After speaking to doctors at the hospital, it appears as though he's been struck several times to the head and he was just left lying in the street until witnesses have called ambulance after seeing Kevindra lying in the street."
Detective Senior Constable Carrucan said it appeared to be a "completely senseless and unprovoked attack", adding four or five men approached and attacked him "for what seems to be no reason whatsoever".
Police had been unable to speak with Mr Joseph until this afternoon.
Detective Senior Constable Carrucan said Mr Joseph was aware people were following him and was trying to walk away from them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or go to www.crimestoppers.com.au
SOURCE: The Age Newspaper
2 comments:
It's not just Melbourne that is unsafe.....many parts of Sydney feel the same way.
There's far more 'aggro' in Oz than there is in Singapore or Malaysia or Thailand and I suspect much of it is alcohol fuelled and to do with mob culture and drinking culture that is just not present in SE Asia at all.
It's not just Melbourne that is unsafe.....many parts of Sydney feel the same way.
There's far more 'aggro' in Oz than there is in Singapore or Malaysia or Thailand and I suspect much of it is alcohol fuelled and to do with mob culture and drinking culture that is just not present in SE Asia at all.
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