Man charged over alleged cricket bat attack on 75-year-old in Melbourne’s south-east

A 75-year-old man has been hospitalised after allegedly being assaulted with a cricket bat by a man attempting to steal from a donation bin in Melbourne’s south-east.

The alleged attack occurred shortly after 6pm on Monday outside the Salvation Army store on Florence Street in Mentone.

It is alleged the victim confronted a 30-year-old man who was going through a charity bin.

The younger man then allegedly grabbed a cricket bat from the bin, threatened the 75-year-old, and demanded his phone before assaulting him.

CCTV footage shows the alleged attacker appearing to raise the bat above his shoulders and move toward the older man, who raised his hands in self-defence.

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The footage then captures the man swinging the bat multiple times, striking the victim in the torso.

Moments later, the dispute spilled onto the street as several witnesses intervened.

Two men managed to wrestle the bat away from the attacker before restraining him on the ground.

The 75-year-old victim, a Mentone resident, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 30-year-old Mentone man was arrested and charged with attempted robbery, assault, and affray.

He has been held in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The day after the attack, a sign was stuck outside the south-east Melbourne business thanking the men who stepped in to confront the alleged attacker.

“To the beautiful, strong, good Samaritans who saved a life on [Monday], and those who helped, thank you. Thank you so much,” the handwritten sign said.