SHOCKED: Narrelle King and her brother, Scott King, who was the victim of an unprovoked attack on a Coledale street last week. Photo: Barry Smith 291012BSD02
A TAMWORTH woman whose defenceless, epileptic brother was bashed by a group of “scumbags” has tearfully pleaded for anyone who knows about the random attack to come forward with information.
Kevin “Scott” King, 49, was walking with his 17-year-old son about 10pm last Thursday (Oct 25) on Lambert St, Coledale, while smoking a cigarette when the group, believed to have been hiding around the corner, set upon him.
The Kings were only a few metres away from their home at the time.
Mr King’s sister, Narrelle, said neither brother nor his son saw any of the attackers’ faces, as it was dark and the lighting on the part of the street was poor. It is unknown how many assailants there were.
“Scott saw nothing. They got him from behind. They kicked him in the back; he’s got a sneaker-print, or a boot mark, imprinted on his back,” Ms King said.
“He went straight down. They got him down on the ground and then they just proceeded to kick him in the head.
“I don’t think these were children; I think they were (young adults), because of the size of the shoe (mark on Mr King’s back), and the force (of the attack).”
She said as soon as Mr King was set upon, he yelled to his son to run away - which he did.
“Why beat up a 50-year-old man? What are they going to do to you?” Ms King said.
“He kept saying to me, ‘It’s all right, sis, I’m still alive’, but they could’ve killed him. He could have broken ribs. I thought he’d have (broken bones) everywhere, but he hasn’t, thank goodness.”
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Mr King also has extensive bruising on his face, head and body, large patches of grazed skin and ruptured blood vessels in his eyes.
“He’s a medicated epileptic ... and we don’t know what extra damage they’ve done now,” she said.
“They didn’t even take his wallet or his phone. They were just out to maliciously hurt people.”
She said her brother now feared for his life and refused to leave his flat.
“He’s scared to death. He’s locked himself in his little flat with his son and he won’t go anywhere. And that’s not fair, for people to be locked in their own homes and be scared to go anywhere, even to the shop,” she said.
“He wouldn’t hurt anybody. He would give someone the last cent in his pocket, or the shirt off his back, if they needed it.
“You know the main things he was worried about? Number one, his son wasn’t hurt, and number two, he let his boss down because he couldn’t go to work the next day.”
She said she was “sick and tired” of hearing about frail or defenceless people being attacked in the city.
“You shouldn’t have to fear for your life, especially in a beautiful country town like Tamworth. I love it here, but it’s getting scary,” Ms King said. “I want people to know and see what (these attackers) are capable of.”
She said she hoped someone knew something about the attack, or had heard someone brag about it, and could come forward.
Tamworth police inspector Paul Johnson said while details from the attack victim and witness had been scant, police were investigating the incident and were keen to hear from anyone who had any information that may help police with their inquiries.