June 6, 2007
Australia
Australia
The alleged victim of an assault by a busload of Newlyn footballers made a statement to police yesterday.
Police are now searching for witnesses to the incident in which a Smeaton man has claimed he was bashed.
Gary Leech told police the assault happened after the men allegedly vandalised a small wind turbine on a Creswick-Newstead Rd property.
The turbine was part of a protest against a proposed wind farm in the area.
Mr Leech has claimed he told the bus driver to wait until police arrived, but the bus drove off.
He then followed the bus to the Smeaton Hotel where he said he was assaulted.
Creswick Police Sergeant John Cody confirmed he had spoken to the victim.
“It’s alleged there was an incident between a person, who’s made a statement, and a group of men on the bus,” he said.
“We are, at this stage, investigating that.”
Newlyn Football Club has declined to comment because the bus trip was not a club event.
Wind Power Ltd has proposed a controversial 19-turbine development in the area.
About 50 people attended a protest earlier on Sunday.
Mr Leech, who is against the plan, said the issue had divided the area.
“Out here was peaceful and quiet and now that’s been destroyed,” he said.
Sgt Cody said police would continue talking to witnesses as part of the investigation.
He urged anyone who saw the incident to come forward.
“We do believe that there were witnesses on the bus, in the hotel and in the area and we’d like to speak to them,” he said.
Anyone with information can contact Creswick Police on 5345 2220.
5 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/06/06/alleged-victim-reports/