Pub brawl bites

By Callan Date
A MAN had his leg broken and was bitten on the arm during a vicious fight involving up to 13 people in Doveton on Saturday morning.
The 37-year-old Narre Warren resident was leaving the Prince Mark Hotel gaming room about 4am with two friends when a group of up to 10 men set upon them after a small argument.
One of the man’s friends, a 39-year-old Mulgrave man, was smashed over the head with a bottle. He received several cuts to his head as well as his body during the brutal assault.
The third victim, a 37-year-old Mount Waverley man, received serious head injuries during the fight and was taken to The Alfred hospital.
The Narre Warren man was taken to Dandenong Hospital for treatment to his injuries.
Police investigating the assault said they would review video footage from the hotel to identify those responsible. Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Wilcox of Narre Warren Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) described the crime as a nasty assault.
He said it appeared the assailants had not been patrons of the hotel on the corner of Princes Highway and Power Road and were just walking through the car park before the fight erupted.
“The men (victims) have fled the scene in their vehicle before stopping at the side of the road and seeking assistance,” Det Sen Sgt Wilcox said.
He said the attackers were aged in their 20s or 30s.
Det Sen Sgt Wilcox said the incident appeared to be a one-off and that assaults in or outside licensed premises in Casey had been quite low over recent time.
“Most people appear to be doing the right things.”
He said hotel patrons should take a common sense approach to avoiding trouble.
“Avoid verbal arguments as well as confrontations. Also don’t hang around the car park late at night.”
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Narre Warren CIU on 9705 3114.