Vic: Man admits bashing and robbing doctor

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2009
Vic: Man admits bashing and robbing doctor

By Melissa Iaria

MELBOURNE, Aug 3 AAP - A Melbourne man has pleaded guilty to bashing and robbing prominent
doctor Mukesh Haikerwal at knifepoint in a crime binge that included 34 victims.

Michael Baltatzis told the Melbourne Magistrates Court he would plead guilty to robbing
and intentionally causing serious injury to the former Australian Medical Association
president.

Baltatzis, 20, of Glenroy, was one of four men and youths who attacked Dr Haikerwal
at a park in Williamstown in Melbourne's inner west on September 27 last year.

He was armed with a knife while the others carried a metal pole and baseball bat.

According to tendered court documents, the doctor was tackled to the ground then struck
with the bat seven times.

The doctor pleaded with his attackers to stop but they continued kicking and punching
him to his head and body while he lay on the ground.

Dr Haikerwal was again struck with the bat with such great force that he ended up unconscious
and was left fighting for his life with critical injuries.

After emergency surgery he was placed in an induced come for 24 hours and remained
in hospital for two months.

Baltatzis pleaded guilty to a total of 34 charges relating to 21 incidents that included
the attack on Dr Haikerwal.

The charges include multiple counts of assault, armed robbery and intentionally causing
serious injury.

There are 34 victims.

He originally faced 76 charges but the crown withdrew 42 charges on Monday in exchange
for the guilty pleas.

In his police statement tendered in court, Dr Haikerwal said he feared for his life
when confronted by the aggressive youths as he walked through the park late at night.

"They demanded my money, saying `give us all your money'," he said.

"I removed my wallet out from my pant pocket and handed it to them.

"I was either pushed or tripped and ended up on the group.

"I had my hands over my head to protect myself, as I was being struck with the bat.

"I was struck several times to the head and body."

Dr Haikerwal said he was disoriented and tried to get up but couldn't.

"I was in so much pain," he said.

"I tried calling for help and managed to call my wife."

Baltatzis was remanded in custody to appear in the Victorian County Court in November
for a pre-sentence hearing.

A second man, Sean Gabriel, has previously pleaded guilty over the attack on Dr Haikerwal.

He was remanded in custody to appear in the Victorian County Court in September for
a pre-sentence hearing.

AAP mi/pmu/it/jlw

KEYWORD: BALTATZIS

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