By Mikayla van Loon
Police are seeking public assistance after an unprovoked assault of a man with autism occurred on a Lilydale bound train in late September.
Frequent public transport user Marcus caught the bus to Ringwood Station intending to travel to Lilydale on the 7.38am train on Friday 23 September, the Grand Final public holiday, where he entered a carriage with another man.
“A male got on the same carriage and was sitting further behind Marcus and between Ringwood and Ringwood East, the man began yelling at him ‘get off this f***ing train’,” Marcus’s mother Elizabeth said.
“Marcus turned around and said ‘stay away from me’ and just after that, the person came forward and started dragging him off the seat, pushed him to the ground and kicked and punched him, it took him by surprise.”
Elizabeth said Marcus was able to respond with some kicks but the man “bundled Marcus off at Ringwood East”.
Being an unmanned station, Marcus used his initiative to travel back to Ringwood where his mother said “one of the staff from Ringwood Station walked Marcus to the police station, which I think is very admirable”.
Marcus suffered quite an extensive bruise to the forehead and cuts to his face and had to be checked over by paramedics at Ringwood Police Station.
“We were advised to go to the GP…he organised for a CT scan because Marcus had a gigantic egg on his head…a couple of days later that seemed like normal but we had to keep an eye on Marcus because of the trauma,” Elizabeth said.
The 31-year-old has always had a passion for trains and has always had the independence of travelling on trains and buses by himself despite his disability.
This is something Elizabeth said she had been working with Victoria Police and other bodies on for the last 20 years to ensure Marcus is safe and has access to public transport.
“This has set us back a little bit. Marcus is a little resistant to get back out on public transport,” she said.
He has, however, been back on the trains since the incident, travelling on the VLine to Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
“I like going away on adventures with my mother and some others,” Marcus said.
Transit Crime Investigation Unit detectives are hoping anyone who may have seen the incident or saw the man described as being caucasian, bald, in his mid-30s and wearing all black clothing, may be able to assist them in their investigation. A photo has been released.
“A young gentleman, Marcus, a vulnerable user of public transport was assaulted, it was an unprovoked assault and we’re seeking public assistance, anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and provide information,” Detective Leading Senior Constable Christopher Swiergon said.
“Every little bit of detail might assist us in finding the person who did this…It’s absolutely horrendous conduct. Everybody has a right to be safe on public transport and we’re counting on members of the public to make it safe for everybody.”
While CCTV captured the man at various platforms from Prahan to Ringwood and then at his final disembarkation at Lilydale Train Station, the footage from the carriage could not be recovered.
DS/C Swiergon said there were no other reports of assault relating to this incident and it seemed to be isolated.
While Elizabeth said she didn’t want to talk about potential punishment, she did want to find the man who attacked her son, not only to show Marcus that it is OK to travel on trains again but for the families who are now also concerned for the safety of their children.
“If the public can assist, I think it would be a great resolve to find the person and find out what happened,” she said.
“He may not understand that this is a young man with a disability who has put a tremendous amount of work in place just to be out in the community with safety and good structure.”
Anyone with information that can assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
