’They should go to prison’

A DRIVER who was viciously bashed by three men believes his attackers would have kicked and punched him “to pieces” had they not been seen by neighbours.

Stephen Brown, 68, of Lenah Valley, was driving to visit his 87-year-old mum in Warrane about 6pm on Wednesday when he accidentally cut off a car while turning right.

Mr Brown made it across the intersection without incident but the other driver started beeping and yelling for Mr Brown to pull over.

“He then started following me and I quickly noticed there was another car behind him,” Mr Brown said.

“As I turned into my mother’s driveway on Bass St, they pulled up on the opposite side of the road and three of them jumped out of the two cars.

“They pulled my door open before I could even put a foot on the ground and started punching me repeatedly.

“They were punching me flat-out in the head, back and shoulders. I reckon they hit me at least 25 or 30 times.”

Mr Brown, who was a champion boxer in his youth, said he had only recently recovered from major open-heart surgery and was too weak to fight back but tried to protect his head.

“I just tried to defend myself because I knew if I went to the ground they would have kept kicking me,” he said.

“I was in shock, they just wanted to punch me to pieces. I couldn’t believe they would do that to someone over a minor traffic matter.

“They should go to prison, it was just so wrong.”

The bashing went on for about five minutes before the men were scared off by neighbours.

After checking on his “terri- fied” mum, Mr Brown went to the Bellerive police station and made a statement.

He was kept in the Royal Hobart Hospital overnight after suffering suspected internal bleeding, broken ribs, concussion, severe bruising and a cauliflower ear.

Mr Brown’s son Gerry Brown called Dave Noonan on Triple M radio yesterday morning to warn other drivers about the men, fearing they would attack again.

“The were punching into him before any words were exchanged,” Gerry told the Mercury.

“They absolutely pounded him and he couldn’t do anything, he’s too sick, too old and too frail.

“They’re really dangerous and I’m scared they will strike again. They could have killed my dad.”

Tasmania Police confirmed they had received a complaint and said they were investigating the matter.

Anyone with information can call Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

They pulled my door open before I could even put a foot on the ground and started punching ... I reckon they hit me at least 25 or 30 times

— STEPHEN BROWN