Melbourne father nearly dies after alleged coward punch
A Melbourne father has nearly died after he was coward punched and knocked unconscious while on a night out with friends.
The man suffered serious injuries from the alleged March attack.
"Blown eardrum, fractured skull, brain bleed brain damage," he told 9News.
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A Melbourne father has nearly died after he was allegedly coward punched during a night out with friends Nine
It all started with one blow to the back of the head and he was rendered unconscious.
"The injuries I sustained were like being in a serious car accident, or someone whacking a baseball bat to the back of your head," he said.
The 39-year-old was at the Plaza Tavern in Hoppers Crossing when the fight broke out about three months ago.
The tradesman had his hands up with his palms facing out when he was allegedly attacked from behind by Sione Fonokalafi.
"Punching someone from the back of the head … they call it a coward punch for a reason," the victim said.
"Just don't do it … it's weak."
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The alleged incident happened during a night out in Hoppers Crossing. Nine
He was knocked unconscious after smashing his head on the gutter, his wife terrified she would lose her husband.
"Devastated, absolutely devastated … I wasn't sure if he was dead or alive at the time," she said.
While he lay injured on the ground, another alleged offender kicked the father - before robbing him of his phone and necklace.
"Scum bag ... disgusting, you see someone knocked out cold would you not try and help them," his wife said.
A court heard the 21-year-old accused of hitting the 39-year-old made full admissions, describing the attack to police as a dog punch.
While he admitted to the violence, he was unable to explain why he did it.
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Last week Mr Fonokalafi pleaded guilty to the charge of recklessly causing serious injury, but the plea was withdrawn.
His lawyer argued police cannot prove whether it was the punch and fall or whether the kick to the head caused the serious injuries.
While the father-of-two has previously gone on campaign rides for victims who have sadly died from one punch attacks.
He says he's lucky to be alive.
"I was pretty close to dead … and a lot of people don't survive it."
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