I’m not a criminal
PLUS: RESTAURANT OWNERS WANTED FOR QUESTIONING I
A MAN accused of storming an Indian restaurant and assaulting the owner before having his charges dropped abruptly at trial two years later says the ordeal has taken its toll on his life.
Jassi Jaswinder Singh said after being charged over the bizarre encounter at India Gate restaurant in the heart of Surfers Paradise in October 2017, his taxi licence was suspended, he lost contracts for his cleaning business, and his prospects of buying a house dwindled.
“I couldn’t get a good job, I couldn’t drive a taxi. It was really very hard,” Mr Singh told the Bulletin.
He reverted to lowpaying jobs and driving for Uber Eats. He was unable to send money to India for two years, he said.
Mr Singh was initially charged with storming the restaurant with four others and assaulting the owner and his wife.
He denied all allegations and said he only went to the restaurant that night for dinner with friends.
He said when he arrived the alleged assault was already unfolding.
While he says his life has begun to recover after the charges were dropped during a Southport District Court trial, he is still feeling the effects of the allegations.
Mr Singh completed a course in assistant nursing and has applied for a blue card but is yet to be approved.
He initially applied for the blue card while still awaiting trial but was refused.
Mr Singh said he was not a criminal and wanted to be known for his community work, through the Australian Indian club.
He raised money during the bushfire season and delivered meals to people and hospital staff during COVID-19.
“It was my bad luck (the events of that night). I’m not a criminal,” he said.