By Ng Kai Ling
THEY were beaten with a metal wrench, a beer bottle and even
their own fishing rods. And it was all because they refused to give
their attackers cigarettes.
Two full-time national servicemen were injured in the assault by
a gang of seven men, which happened in a quiet suburb of Perth on
Saturday.
The off-duty Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) servicemen,
aged 19 and 20, were fishing at about 4am when the group approached
them to ask for cigarettes, said Western Australia police.
Both replied by asking how old the group were.
The seven men then left, only to return brandishing the empty
bottle and the wrench. This time they demanded the two Singaporeans
hand over their wallets. They then set upon them with their
makeshift weapons and the victims' fishing rods. The group then
fled the scene, taking with them some of the victims' cash and
credit cards.
The servicemen were taken to Royal Perth Hospital, said police.
The 19-year-old had a 2cm to 3cm cut on his forehead that required
stitches. His companion suffered severe bruising and cuts to his
back and torso. Both his eyes were swollen and he may need plastic
surgery on his eye.