A well-known musician has been left with horrific facial injuries and memory loss after he was assaulted outside his home in a quiet harbourside suburb.
Brent Dehn, a former long-term guitarist with iconic Aussie rock band The Radiators says he was set upon after he stepped outside his Balmain residence to have a cigarette on September 12 after a long chat with a mate on the phone.
But he’s unable to recall any of the details.
He only remembers waking up hours later with a cracked eye-socket and broken wrist to the sound of police knocking at his door.
‘I don’t remember a thing about the attack,’ Dehn told the Daily Telegraph.
‘Police explained to me that a car had been stolen and that I had obviously run into the thief.
‘The cracked my eye socket all around, I couldn’t see very well … my left wrist and a couple of fingers were also fractured.’
Severe injuries to his left wrist and hand left the guitarist unable to perform and has been forced to turn down at least eight gigs.
Brent Dehn has played in numerous bands, with nearly a decade strumming for pub rock group The Radiators
Brent Dehn
The attack has also left Dehn afraid of loud music, people and even going to the shops in aftermath of the unprovoked assault.
NSW Police confirmed officers were called to the address following a concern for welfare.
‘Police spoke with a 61-year-old man who had sustained facial injuries. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene; however, did not require further treatment,’ a spokesperson said.
‘A crime scene was established and an investigation in relation to the circumstances surrounding the incident commenced.’
No arrests have yet been made over the incident.
Financially struggling, the out-of-work musician reluctantly permitted a friend to set up a fundraiser on his behalf, which has already raised more than $12,000.
‘Brent is a professional musician and music is his income,’ lifelong friend and accomplished songwriter Dave Wilkins wrote.
A fellow musician said Mr Dehn was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and is now bearing the financial consequences
‘His injuries brought his music to a sudden halt.’
‘He has shared the stage with me over the years, starting off with Wrecking Crew and was also a guitarist in iconic Aussie band The Radiators for a decade.’
‘Recently, Brent was violently attacked in an unprovoked incident outside his home by a group of thugs.
‘Brent was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, unknowingly catching the group up to no good.’
Dehn is grateful for the overwhelming support he’s received since.
‘I would not have done this for myself as I’m not someone that would normally want the attention but I must say l’m eternally grateful,’ he wrote in an update posted on the fundraiser.
NSW Police have urged anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers.
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