Battered bottle shop worker: 'My alleged attackers were bailed before I got out of hospital'

Tuesday, 9 December 2025 20:16

A 22-year-old bottle shop worker who was viciously bashed at his Adelaide workplace has told 9News of the terrifying ordeal.

Matthew Jarrett was on the clock when a group of five teenagers entered the Thirsty Camel in Modbury, and allegedly assaulted him and a customer while robbing the store.

He had to be treated at Modbury Hospital after the incident, which was captured on CCTV on Sunday afternoon.

A 22-year-old bottle shop worker who was viciously bashed at his Adelaide workplace has told 9News of the terrifying ordeal.

"They did just kinda come into the bottle shop and attack me," he said.

"At least two of them throwing kicks, throwing punches. They had me surrounded.

"Both my arms were covered in my own blood, there was blood all over the shop.

"I caught quite a lot in the eye-socket."

A 75-year-old war veteran was also punched, kicked, and thrown to the ground, as he attempted to stop the gang.

Jarrett said he was shocked at how the quickly the encounter turned violent.

"Once I was in that corner, I was completely backed against the wall. The best I could do was use my legs to create distance," he said.

Jarrett said the bottle shop had been targeted by thieves twice in recent days, with another incident also occurring in June.

Jarrett said he was shocked at how the quickly the encounter turned violent.

The 75-year-old victim of the assault is still recovering from head injuries.

He told 9News he has concerns over the alleged attackers' quick release on bail, a point agreed to by Jarrett.

"The children, they were out on bail before I was out of hospital," Jarrett said.

Police Minister Blair Boyer acknowledged he was concerned by the footage, but said he is confident his government's reforms are helping to decrease crime.

"We saw arrests very quickly of five people. That's a good thing, our resourcing of SAPOL is critical here."

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

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