Public rallies for bash victim
The Cairns community has poured out its compassion and generosity in the aftermath of a horrific assault of a man with a disability in Earlville.
At 4am on Thursday Ben Carlisle was riding his bike down Balaclava Rd when without warning he was attacked.
It’s alleged a juvenile assailant pushed the Earlville man off his bike before bashing into him, and then stealing his bike, bag, phone and fishing gear.
Woree woman Shonnea Perrett always kept an eye on Mr Carlisle and has taken on a role as his unofficial carer.
The keen fisherman is a regular sight along Mulgrave Rd cycling to creeks in his neighbourhood.
Driving past, Ms Perrett saw him at the lights near McDonald’s and knew something was not right.
“He has a cut under his eye and bruising and swelling to his face and his knees are busted up pretty bad,” she said.
Ms Perrett said police were called and have taken statements – an ambulance was called but Mr Carlisle declined transport to hospital.
Though saddened that a vulnerable member of the community had been targeted in such a horrific attack Ms Perrett said there had been some good to come out of the incident.
“There has been so much help, I put up that post up and it was not to ask for anything and
everyone is reaching out to offer help,” she said.
“One lady has bought him a bag and one man has bought him a new phone and another lady is getting him fishing lines.
”I really want to thank the community and it shows there’s good people out there.”
Mr Carlisle has been advised not to go out after dark due to it no longer being safe on the street.
“A lot of people take advantage of him,” she said.
“You know, what really broke heart was, he is usually a really bubbly person and yesterday he was sad and crying and I have never seen him like that.
“These kids just don’t care and it’s not safe now. It’s unfair, he should not have to be locked up in his house because of the youth.”