Victorian police are asking for the public’s help to identify two violent thugs who assaulted a Melbourne grandfather at a Berwick caravan park.
Trouble began when 70-year-old Ian Pope encountered a woman and her children walking on the road, leading to a confrontation filled with verbal abuse.
In an interview with 7NEWS, Ian described how the situation escalated: “She started to abuse me… she started to abuse me about speeding and killing kids in the caravan park.”
Mr Pope added, “I wasn’t speeding, I was being very careful.”
Despite attempting to disengage and seeking refuge in his caravan, Ian found himself targeted once again as the woman returned 20 minutes after their first encounter.
However, this time the woman was accompanied by two men who launched a brutal attack while Ian was cooking dinner outside his van.
According to Ian, one of the assailants snatched the fork from his hand before striking him in the face three times.
The consequences of the assault were severe, leaving Ian with a bruised face, a busted eye, and bleeding on the brain.
His son, Michael, expressed shock and dismay at the extent of his father’s injuries: “To see the photos of your own dad… it really just hits you in the guts.”
Despite Ian’s courage in seeking help from the authorities and driving himself to the police station, the perpetrators remain at large.
With the investigation ongoing, Ian and his family grapple with fear and uncertainty, longing for justice to be served.
Police believe that one of the attackers is aged in his 30s while the other one is in his 50s.
The pair fled the scene in a white van with signage that indicates a painting business.
Anyone who recognises the van above or has any information that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
