Arrest made after waitress visiting Melbourne on a working holiday had a ‘plate smashed into her face’ by a stranger as she served customers
A lawsuit has been filed against a woman who allegedly injured a French waitress while working at a cafe in Melbourne.
Backpacker Anais Poupon, 19, was allegedly shoved a plate in her face during her shift at La Vallee cafe in Essendon, north-west of Melbourne, about 1pm on Anzac Day.
CCTV showed Anais walking around a corner while holding plates to serve the table, when a woman walking the other way almost hit her.
The woman then appeared to lift the plate up and hit the waiter in the face, then smashed other plates onto the floor.
A 52-year-old woman from Footscray was arrested at Dandenong Railway Station at around 10.50am on Saturday, Victoria Police said on Tuesday.
He was charged with recklessly causing injury and appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday, where he was released on bail.
The young backpacker required dental treatment after the incident.
“He told me, ‘It’s your fault,'” Ms. Poupon said. ‘I am really sad. ‘I didn’t do anything.’
French backpacker Anais Poupon (left) was allegedly attacked by woman (right) on Anzac Day
Anais Poupon (above) required dental treatment after the incident
La Vallee owner Josh Rabie says attack makes him ‘feel sick’
La Vallee owner Josh Rabie said the aggressive behavior made him ‘feel sick’.
‘She’s a lovely girl, quiet, and that’s the last thing you want to happen to anyone,’ he said.
The Essendon community gathered around the cafe after security cameras of the incident were shared.
“We are beyond shocked,” La Vallee wrote alongside the clip.
‘We love being part of the community in Essendon and hope our followers can share, tag and recommend it to local friends so we can do some justice.’
Thousands of Australians watched and shared the short video.
‘I hope your staff are doing well,’ one wrote.
The accused woman will appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on August 17.
