A MAN who says he was punched and kicked into unconsciousness in an Ulverstone attack claims police have been slack in investigating the crime.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Burnie man Frank Aldridge said he was attacked by four men outside the Lighthouse Hotel about closing time on July 4.
He said about 20 people stood around and watched, and only his girlfriend went to help him.
Mr Aldridge said his doctor was surprised he survived, given the number of bumps on his head. But he said police took a week before they even photographed his injuries.
He said police only appeared to be charging two of the four men involved.
He said police told him nobody saw the two men who were not being charged assault him.
Mr Aldridge did not accept that, given the number of people he believed saw the attack.
He said police had not spoken to all witnesses and appeared to have only spoken to those witnesses who went to the station, rather than "chasing up" the others.
"I couldn't work for a few days," he said.
He said he was left with a fractured cheekbone, bruised kidneys and "a lot of missing skin, but, luckily, no real damage".
"My head was very beaten, bruised and battered."
He said he had been told he was kicked and punched to the back of the head and kicked to the face.
He said he did not know the men.
Detective Inspector Kim Steven confirmed two people would be charged over the incident.
He said there had been some difficulty getting in contact with Mr Aldridge for statements and photographs in the week after the incident because of Mr Aldridge's work as a truck driver.
He said all investigations took time and there could be difficulties contacting witnesses.
Detective Inspector Steven said he did not believe the investigation time for the incident involving Mr Aldridge was unreasonable.
