By Tyler Wright
A Belgrave business has taken a hit after a violent attack by a Bayswater woman Saturday 28 October.
The 23-year-old woman allegedly drove into the front of live music venue Sooki Lounge, on Burwood Highway, at about 11pm.
According to a Victoria Police spokesperson, the car then drove from the scene.
“Fortunately no one was injured in the incident and emergency services were quickly on scene,” the spokesperson said.
“A short time later police arrested the 23-year-old who was interviewed for reckless conduct endangering serious injury, criminal damage and other offences.
“She was released and is expected to be charged on summons.”
Sooki Lounge co-owner Stephen Crombie spoke out after the event in a video posted to social media on Sunday 29 October, standing in front of a boarded-up front window.
“We’re open,” Mr Crombie said.
“We’ve isolated the damage, the kitchen’s open.
“It’s safe to operate; the council’s been down here.”
Mr Crombie told viewers the woman had been removed from the venue before the attack.
“[She] has previously had a bar placed on her for this venue,” he said.
Mr Crombie said the hospitality industry is going through “brutal times“.
“This is not exactly what we need, but we just get on with it,” he said.
“A lot of you guys have messaged us – I’m sorry if I haven’t got back to you, but we really appreciate all your support, it means a lot.”
“Next week’s our birthday…Thursday [2 November] we’ve got C.W Stoneking Orchestra… Friday we’ve got Ocean Grove headlining, Saturday we’ve got a heap of headliners… Sunday we’ve got an all day festival celebrating all of the local bands with the Pierce Brothers headlining, then on Monday night we’ve got [Anthony] Pappa closing it all off on the decks.“
