Man arrested after Bathurst 1000 ‘assault’
Written by admin on October 18, 2024
A motorsport engineer who claimed he had been assaulted at the Bathurst 1000 has been charged with making a false police report after bizarre footage appeared to show the man punching himself.
The 20-year-old man was walking with his partner on William St in Bathurst shortly after 4am on October 14 when he told police he was set upon by three men.
NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene and took the couple to Bathurst Hospital.
After investigating the reports of assault, police said on Tuesday they were unable to substantiate the man’s claim.
“We’ve viewed the CCTV footage and I’m confident that didn’t happen,“ Chifley Police District Superintendent Darren Beeche told publication Speedcafe.
CCTV footage released by 7News appears to show the man slapping and punching himself in the face before hitting the pavement.
On Friday, NSW Police confirmed they had charged the man with assault and making a false representation to police resulting in an investigation.
Police allege the 20-year-old assaulted a woman known to him, and falsely told police he had also been assaulted.
He will face Bathurst Local court on December 11.
The Erebus Motorsport engineer had been at the team’s after-party at the Oxford Hotel, and according to Auto Action, the attackers shouted “f**k Erebus”.
Prior to the release of the CCTV footage, Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan offered a reward for information.
“I cannot believe there are people like this in the world. These young, innocent people were out celebrating a life achievement,” he reportedly said from Bathurst.
Bathurst 1000 race winner Brodie Kostecki told Sunrise on Monday that the apparent attack was “really disappointing” and had also put a “spoil on the evening”.
“We wish (the man) all the best and hopefully he recovers fast, along with his partner,” Kostecki said before CCTV footage of the alleged incident emerged.
