By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAN – in concert with his partner – has pleaded guilty to assaulting his brother-in-law in Dandenong Plaza out of his belief that the victim was a paedophile.
The couple approached the victim in Dandenong Plaza on 4 July, a court heard on 11 October.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Renee Bloomfield told the court that the couple believed the man had perpetrated “serious” sexual and physical abuse against his own partner and children.
The victim told police he hoped the couple would listen to his version.
But after the wife called the victim a “f***ing paedophile”, the accused punched the victim to the head several times.
The accused then dragged the victim to the ground where he was punched and kicked.
The couple fled from an approaching security officer but the wife returned later to scream abuse at the victim, the court was told.
Ldg Sen Const Bloomfield said the brother-in-law, with bruising and grazing to the left side of his face, was taken to Dandenong Hospital by ambulance.
The couple were later charged and issued with a family violence safety notice.
The accused denied to police that he had punched and kicked the victim, but was just trying to break up the fight, the court heard.
He claimed his wife had been taunted by the victim, who allegedly told her he’d do to her what he’d done to her sister.
“I’ve got away with abusing children and I will get away with it in future,” the victim allegedly said.
The accused will be sentenced at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 23 November.
