Coffee Republic owner outlines frightening assault
Coffee Republic owner Robin Smith is the latest businessman to call for a taskforce to look into rising crime and anti-social behaviour.
Violent crime seems to be rising across the country, with hospitality venues facing numerous attacks of late.
Smith’s Coffee Republic in Launceston was the latest to be hit, with the owner punched after he called out a group of youths "smashing up cafe furniture".
"It was the worst incident at Coffee Republic in my 23 years in the Brisbane Street Mall," he told The Examiner.
"There needs to be afternoon police foot patrols targeting anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and youth carrying knives."
Smith was taken to hospital after the incident, along with a member of the public.
Tasmania Police are currently investigating.
"A member of the public received a non-life threatening injury after attempting to intervene in the disturbance," a police statement said.
"One youth was arrested at the scene and later charged with two counts of common assault."
There was about $1000 worth of damage caused to the venue.
Smith said the fracas started after a member of the group demanded a vape from a patron.
"One was attacked and another was assaulted then the main protagonist smashed cafe furniture through the table there," Smith said.
"And then staff members tried to intervene and they were taking cafe furniture to use as weapons against the people they wanted the vape from.
"I asked them not to and asked for the furniture back and he punched me in the eye.
"I wear contact lenses and the contact lens cracked and went into the eye.
"'The other boy had a suspected fractured skull and that is why he was taken to hospital."
One alleged offender threatened to go back to the venue while police were there.
Jonathan Jackson, 21st September 2023
