Chefs at a popular Melbourne restaurant were circled by a group of youths before being repeatedly punched and kicked in a brutal attack.
Witnesses have told 9news.com.au the group of youths, who were of African appearance, were hanging around St Kilda beach-front restaurant Donovans last night, throwing bottles and standing in front of traffic.
At 10.30pm, a few members of the group approached a chef, who was standing outside a side door of the restaurant after finishing a shift, and began to attack him.
"There was a bit of a scuffle," a witness, who didn’t want to be identified, told 9news.com.au.
The witness said at least three other chefs then ran outside to help their co-worker but were also attacked by the violent gang.
"It started off with three or four of them throwing punches," the witness said.
"Then another five or so marched across the road and circled one of the chefs."
The circled chef was repeatedly bashed by the group, who were armed with metal poles, as he tried helplessly to escape.
The group at one point even barricaded the door so other employees couldn’t come to the aid of their colleagues.
"He had proper injuries, really big cuts on his head and all across his back – he was hit with something," the witness said.
Eventually the chefs retreated inside the restaurant and call police. When the group of youths heard the sirens, they fled on foot.
The youths were hanging around in the area before the violent bashing at 10.30pm.
"I was genuinely terrified, I was so shaken up," the witness said.
"They were just there to cause trouble.
"They were throwing alcohol bottles around, at times marched in front of traffic and drivers had to slam on the brakes."
Police did not make any arrests.