The former guitarist of an 80s pub rock band has spoken about suffering a fractured eye socket, wrist and fingers in a vicious attack he cannot recall.
Brent Dehn, 61, who used to play in Aussie band The Radiators, was assaulted outside his home in Balmain, Sydney in the early hours of September 12 after having a cigarette.
Hours later, he was woken up by police after they recieved a call from a member of the public concernced for his welfare.
Once he was conscious, Brent discovered he had multiple injuries but had no recollection of the horror attack.
Brent told The Daily Telegraph: ‘I don’t remember a thing about the attack.’
He continued: ‘Police explained to me that a car had been stolen and that I had obviously run into the thief.
‘They cracked my eye socket all around I couldn’t see very well … my left wrist and a couple of fingers were also fractured.’
Police are still on the hunt for the attacker or attackers two months later. No-one has been arrested or charged.
Brent’s friend Dave Wilkins has since launched a GoFundMe to pay for his bills after he was left unable to perform music, his sole income, due to his injuries.
‘Brent is a professional musician and music is his income,’ Dave said on the fundraising site. ‘His injuries brought his music to a sudden halt.’
Dave continued: ‘In his time in recovery, the bills kept rolling in, however the income has stopped.
‘I’m asking, if you can, to donate whatever you can to help my mate Brent get through this difficult time.
‘Brent, being Brent , kept the news of the attack quiet and didn’t want any fuss. He was reluctant in us doing a fundraiser, but we know he is loved by so many people who would love to help him out in this time when he needs it the most.
‘I hope between all his fans, friends and family, we can support him with a bit of financial assistance until he’s back on the stage.’
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe Page has raised AUS$12,275 (£6,313) out of a AUS$15,000 (£7721) target.
The Radiators formed in 1978 in Western Sydney with original line-up Brendan Callinan, Brian Nichol, Stephen Parker, Chris Tagg and Geoff Turner.
Their biggest albums are 1980’s Feel the Heat and 1983’s Scream of the Real, which both reached the top 25 in the Australian charts. Comin’ Home, No Tragedy and Gimme Head are the band’s best-known singles.
Brent joined The Radiators in 2013 and perfomed with them until 2021. He was previously in Wrecking Crew.
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