A young woman was allegedly punched in the face by a stranger while walking home after seeing ‘hardcore’ bands at a NSW hotel.
The 21-year-old was with friends on Maitland Rd in Newcastle’s Islington after 11pm on March 8 when an unknown male punched her in the head, NSW Police allege.
Police said a brawl then broke out and the girl’s 20 year old female friend was also punched and injured before the attacker and his mates fled.
Paramedics were called to the scene and both women were treated in hospital, police said.
The woman was in a group of four who had earlier been to see Melbourne-based hardcore outfit AWOL, supported by the bands Mauler and Skorn at The Newcastle Hotel.
They had just left the show and were walking back to Hamilton train station when the apparently unprovoked attack was launched.
The group had left the Newcastle Hotel also known the ‘The Newy’ when they were allegedly attacked by a group they did not know
They were at the venue watching hardcore bands including AWOL visiting from Melbourne
Police confirmed they are investigating following a ‘brawl’ at Islington.
One friend of the two women disagreed that it was brawl and said the altercation was sparked after the unknown group made homophobic comments to the group who had just left the show.
One woman was treated in hospital after the altercation (a friend posted this picture)
‘When the younger group commented back, the aggressors immediately threw one punch, followed by a greater assault,’ they claimed.
‘It’s absurd that young girls, boys and anyone in the LGBT community should have to worry about facing death when they go for a night out. This was a hate crime,’ they said.
It is understood both of the injured women were known to the local bands playing on the night.
One woman took to social media saying the wider Newcastle live music community is up-in-arms over the seemingly random alleged attack.
The Newcastle music scene is furious over rumours of the alleged attack, one woman said
‘About 11.10pm on Friday 8 March 2024, a group of four persons were walking along Maitland Road when a man from an unknown group allegedly punched a 21-year-old woman to the face,’ a NSW Police spokesperson said.
‘The two groups allegedly engaged in a fight. The group of unknown persons had fled prior to police arrival,’ police said.
‘Two women, aged 20 and 21, were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for head injuries and bruising. They were both taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.’
Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.