rajawolf
04-11-2005, 01:59 AM
Maybe this is why no complaint was lodge with police.! ::)
The father of one of the youths involved in a Byron Bay street brawl with Rex Hunt has vehemently rejected the TV fisherman's claims of an unprovoked attack, and has called for a public apology.
Steven, who asked for his surname to be withheld, said the exchange began when Mr Hunt dropped a pair of sunglasses as he and his family made their way down busy Jonson St last Friday night.
A verbal exchange followed after one of the youths stooped to pick them up for Mr Hunt.
"He just snarled at the boys and told them to bugger off," Steven said yesterday.
The groups were separated before Mr Hunt's son, Matthew, allegedly lashed out, striking one of the youths and sparking the brawl, Steven said.
He denied Mr Hunt's claims that 15 youths were involved, saying there were only six and "not all of them were involved in the fighting".
Steven's son Josh, 16, said he and two others, aged 17 and 15, took part in the brawl. He did not deny that Matthew Hunt had been kicked as he lay on the ground in the 10-minute fracas, but rejected Mr Hunt's claims that a glass had been used as a weapon, or that tourists had been targeted.
"I work in the tourism industry so why would I do that? We need the tourists. I don't have anything against them," he said. "In the surf there might be some aggression or exchanges, but not on the streets."
Josh said that at one stage he had been pushed against a wall by Mr Hunt, who told him: "I pay my taxes so you can eat."
One of the youths was taken to hospital for stitches after being struck with the heel of a stiletto shoe, Josh said.
Josh said he and the others were embarrassed and worried by claims attributed to Mr Hunt that he would pursue legal action against the parents of those involved.
"This has upset the boys. I'm worried my son could lose his job," Steven said. "Mr Hunt's version of events is just not true and he should apologise."
Mr Hunt was not available for comment yesterday, and is yet to lodge a complaint with police.
The father of one of the youths involved in a Byron Bay street brawl with Rex Hunt has vehemently rejected the TV fisherman's claims of an unprovoked attack, and has called for a public apology.
Steven, who asked for his surname to be withheld, said the exchange began when Mr Hunt dropped a pair of sunglasses as he and his family made their way down busy Jonson St last Friday night.
A verbal exchange followed after one of the youths stooped to pick them up for Mr Hunt.
"He just snarled at the boys and told them to bugger off," Steven said yesterday.
The groups were separated before Mr Hunt's son, Matthew, allegedly lashed out, striking one of the youths and sparking the brawl, Steven said.
He denied Mr Hunt's claims that 15 youths were involved, saying there were only six and "not all of them were involved in the fighting".
Steven's son Josh, 16, said he and two others, aged 17 and 15, took part in the brawl. He did not deny that Matthew Hunt had been kicked as he lay on the ground in the 10-minute fracas, but rejected Mr Hunt's claims that a glass had been used as a weapon, or that tourists had been targeted.
"I work in the tourism industry so why would I do that? We need the tourists. I don't have anything against them," he said. "In the surf there might be some aggression or exchanges, but not on the streets."
Josh said that at one stage he had been pushed against a wall by Mr Hunt, who told him: "I pay my taxes so you can eat."
One of the youths was taken to hospital for stitches after being struck with the heel of a stiletto shoe, Josh said.
Josh said he and the others were embarrassed and worried by claims attributed to Mr Hunt that he would pursue legal action against the parents of those involved.
"This has upset the boys. I'm worried my son could lose his job," Steven said. "Mr Hunt's version of events is just not true and he should apologise."
Mr Hunt was not available for comment yesterday, and is yet to lodge a complaint with police.