Two confess involvement in attack on Orthodox Jew
MELISSA SINGER
TWO men accused of an alleged anti-semitic attack on an Orthodox Jew earlier this month have confessed their part in the incident, the AJN has learned.
The men, who are both players with Ocean Grove Football Club, last week told club officials they participated in the attack on Menachem Vorchheimer after an end-of-season trip to Caulfield racecourse on October 14.
According to club president Michael Vines, one of the men, who was one of 20 passengers on a hired minibus, told officials he shouted anti-semitic abuse, including “Fucking Jews” and “Go the Nazis” at Vorchheimer, 33, as he walked to Yeshivah synagogue with two of his children for Simchat Torah festivities.
The other man admitted to leaning out of the bus and grabbing Vorchheimer’s hat and kippa after he had approached the bus to ask the driver about the identity of the passengers.
Vines told the AJN that two other playes, who physically restrained Vorchheimer, had also been identified in the course of the club’s investigation. The matter is also the subject of an extensive police investigation involving up to 100 people, including more than 50 witnesses.
But a third man, who allegedly struck Vorchheimer across the eye, is yet to be identified.
Vines, who has apologised to Vorchheimer on behalf of the club, said he was disappointed that a meeting of players and club officials last Friday had failed to identify the perpetrator of the alleged assault, despite there being a short-list of “six possible suspects.”
“At the end of the day, we would much rather he came forward of his own accord,” Vines said.
He added that first two players’ confessions would be taken into account when the club determines what disciplinary action it will take.
The AJN also understands that one of the players has prepared a written apology to Vorchheimer, which will be delivered at the conclusion of the police investigation.
Police are also conducting an internal investigation into the involvement of the bus driver, who police confirmed last week to be an off-duty police officer. Last week, a planned trip by around eight members of the football club to the Jewish Holocaust Museum and Research Centre was postponed after police feared it could hamper their investigation.
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