12:00a.m. 10th May 2008

| By Jane Gardner

Michael Parker, a 32-year-old television executive, was bashed in a random attack in Mooloolaba on Monday. He has a massive fluid-filled lesion on his head, bruised eye sockets, lacerations and a bloodshot eye. Photo: Barry Leddicoat/174631

A second brutal gang attack in a Mooloolaba car park this week has left a Maroochydore man with severe facial lacerations.

At 1.30am yesterday, the 40-year-old was set upon by three men who viciously bashed him with a fire extinguisher in the underground parking lot near the Mantra Resort, off Venning Street.

Police say he was lured downstairs by a woman accomplice in her 20s who engaged him in conversation as he left the pub and was walking along The Esplanade.

Sergeant Colin Pledge of the Sunshine Coast police communications centre said the thugs had escaped with a mobile phone and pack of cigarettes after leaving their victim battered on the concrete floor.

“A male person has sprayed him with a fire extinguisher and hit him over the head with it. The victim was transferred to Caloundra Hospital with bruising and severe lacerations to the head requiring stitches,” he said.

Police said they would not rule out the possibility the assaults were linked but could not comment further until more detailed investigations were carried out.

The attack is almost identical to one on Monday that hospitalised 32-year-old television executive Michael Parker.

Yesterday, he told the Daily the unprovoked violence had left him with a massive fluid-filled lesion on his head, bruised eye sockets, lacerations and a bloodshot eye.

He is still in so much pain he cannot work or drive.

At 3.30am Monday, he was walking down the car park steps when was attacked by a vicious gang of three or four men who bashed him from behind for his cigarettes and phone.

Afterwards, he lay bleeding on the ground until he could muster the strength to walk up the steps where an O’Malley’s staff member came to his aid.

Mr Parker was shocked when he heard yesterday of a second, more callous attack.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“They’re definitely related. It’s two serious assaults in less than a week.”

He said the very fact the offenders ignored wallets and expensive jewellery and took only a mobile phone and cigarettes in both cases caused him to believe yesterday’s assault was carried out by the same people.

The only difference is Mr Parker was not led underground.

“They came from nowhere. I don’t know if I was hit from behind but all I remember is being hit and kicked. I didn’t see a thing,” he said.

“Obviously (there is) a big problem with their car park. They need to step up their security, get better surveillance and or a guard, upgrade their cameras or have it locked at night,” he said.

“I’ve heard from establishments around the Mantra area that they often have had people in the car park who have to be shifted on and moved away.

“It’s unfortunate. I like going to the place I normally go to but I won’t go out on my own (now) and if I do it will be with a group of friends. I’ll stick to them and not have late nights.”

In light of the violence, Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson yesterday called on police minister Judy Spence to approve a 24-hour police station for Mooloolaba.

“It’s time for the police beat to grow up,” she said. “A full police station for Mooloolaba is completely realistic. I’ve approached the minister about a full police presence there via this police station.

“We want to see safety on our streets and we want to fight to keep the Sunshine Coast a well-regarded family destination.”

Andrew Staehr, spokesman for Archer’s Body Corporate for Mooloolaba International, said they would consider reviewing security following an investigation to decide if it was appropriate.

“We are going to speak with consultants to determine whether or not security can be improved but until we do that, we need to make sure we get professional advice,” he said.

“It’s a public car park for that complex and it’s very difficult to secure the area and prevent access to it 24/7.”

Mr Staehr said the car park had CCTV cameras and a night-long regular security patrol.

He said it was unfair to associate the Mantra Resort with the security because it was governed by a building-wide body corporate.

Anyone with information about the attacks can call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.