Revealed: CCTV of Bathurst 'assault' that rocked Supercars as Erebus staffer charged
Updated . First published
Wide World of Sports has obtained CCTV vision (watch above) of the moment an Erebus Motorsport data engineer appeared to strike himself in the face in a bizarre incident that rocked Supercars.
On Monday morning, news broke the man and his partner had been assaulted by three men and taken to hospital when leaving a hotel after celebrating the team's Bathurst 1000 victory.
But the CCTV appears to show the man punching himself in the face, before falling over. The vision showed the man getting back to his feet, before the pair disappear from view.
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A police investigation found the man had not been assaulted, and on Thursday he was charged himself with common assault (DV) and false representation resulting in police investigation.
CCTV vision has shown the moment an Erebus Motorsport data engineer appeared to strike himself in face following the team's Bathurst 1000 after-party. Nine
The man will appear in Bathurst Local Court on December 11.
"Police will allege in court the man assaulted a woman known to him, and was not assaulted himself but made a false report to police," a NSW Police statement read.
On Monday, Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan went so far as to offer a reward for anyone to come forward with information.
"I cannot believe there are people like this in the world," he said from Bathurst on Monday.
"These young, innocent people were out celebrating a life achievement."
Erebus Motorsport staff celebrate Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood's Bathurst 1000 win. Getty
Motorsport publication Auto Action – of which Erebus Motorsport owner Betty Klimenko has an ownership stake – reported the attackers came from behind shouting "f---ing Erebus".
Hostility towards the team and its staff has been building after a series of incidents defined the beginning of the year, with reigning champion Brodie Kostecki to depart at the season's end.
Kostecki and co-driver Todd Hazelwood dominated the Great Race from start to finish on Sunday to claim a maiden title at Mount Panorama.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
