Grandfather, 71, suffers a nasty black eye after he was attacked by a gang of drunk thugs who viciously bashed him while he set up his fruit stand
- Elderly market stall owner bashed by violent drunk thugs in unprovoked attack
- Occurred while Sam Baldacchino was setting up for markets in Mandurah
- Footage of the confrontation shows men stealing and damaging fresh produce
- Suffered a black eye and deep cut to cheek and was lucky to not lose his sight
Sam Baldacchino feared he had lost his eyesight after he was attacked by drunk thugs
An elderly grandfather almost lost his eyesight when he was attacked by violent thugs in a vicious and unprovoked attack.
Sam Baldacchino, 71, was setting up his fruit and vegetable stall at the Smart Street Markets in Mandurah, south of Perth, when he was confronted by a group of drunk men about 4am on Saturday morning.
Mr Baldacchino’s partner began filming the ugly confrontation when the men started swearing at him.
The disturbing footage shows one of the men stealing a watermelon, which is smashed to pieces when it’s kicked on the ground, while Mr Baldacchino’s partner yells at the group to stop.
Part of the confrontation was captured by Mr Baldacchino’s partner, including the moment one man steals a watermelon from his stall and kicks it along the ground (pictured)
Not captured in the footage is the moment a man hurls an apple at Mr Baldacchino, which hits him in the head.
‘I tripped and then went on the ground and then he hit me,’ Mr Baldacchino told Seven News.
‘It’s just crazy, this is absolutely [a] disgrace.’
The group then fled the scene.
The men were drinking at a nearby bar prior to the incident.
Sporting a black eye and deep cut to his right cheek, the attack didn’t stop Mr Baldacchino from returning to the markets several hours later to run his stall.
Doctors told him he’s lucky not to have lost vision in one eye.
His customers at the weekly markets have taken to social media to express their disgust about the attack.
‘This is awful he is such a lovely man and their produce has always been wonderful when I’ve brought it,’ one woman posted on Facebook.
Another added: ‘I have know Sam for years, he’s hard working, such sad news.’
Western Australia Police are now investigating the attack on Smart Street Markets (pictured)
Mr Baldacchino now plans to protect himself with pepper spray when he sets up his stall in the future.
‘I’m sorry, we’ve had enough of this. We can’t take it anymore,’ a distraught Mr Baldacchino said.
Western Australia Police are investigating and urge anyone with information to come forward.
No charges have yet been laid.
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