In a disturbing incident at St Kilda Pier on Thursday afternoon, a 34-year-old man found himself the target of an unprovoked attack by a group of up to eight individuals. This altercation unfolded publicly around 1 p.m., witnessed by several bystanders.

The confrontation escalated when the group accused the man of photographing people at the pier, an allegation he denied. In an effort to prove his innocence, the man reportedly showed his phone to the aggressors. Despite evidence to the contrary, the group assaulted him, subsequently seizing his phone and discarding it into the water.

Detective Senior Constable Jesse Coppel provided insights into the incident, stating, “During the confrontation, he demonstrated to the offenders that there was no inappropriate content on his phone. Despite this, they chose to assault him.” Coppel further explained, “We have information confirming that witnesses saw the phone’s contents before it was destroyed, and it contained no incriminating material.”

Coppel suggested that the accusation served merely as a pretext for the group to target the man. “It appears they used this excuse to initiate a confrontation, and when proven wrong, they resorted to violence regardless,” he noted.

“The information we have indicates that people have seen the contents of his phone prior to it being destroyed and there was nothing of that material or that nature on the phone.

“It seems to me as if they have used this as an excuse to confront this man and when it’s not followed through they’ve assaulted him anyway regardless.”

He said the behaviour was “disgusting” and people deserved to be able to enjoy the beach peacefuly.

“People behaving in this way is deplorable, it doesn’t belong here,” Coppel said.

The man was taken to hospital with a broken arm and has since returned home despite previously intending to spend Christmas in Australia.

Coppel said police had not been able to speak with him at length.

The offenders fled the scene but police have released images of four people they wish to speak with.

All four people are believed to be aged in their early 20s.

The first man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, approximately 165cm tall with a thin build, short goatee beard and black curly hair.

He was wearing black shorts and sunglasses.

The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 175cm tall with a medium build, short goatee beard and short brown hair.

He was wearing an open grey short sleeve shirt, blue camouflage shorts, a black New York Yankees beanie, black Nike runners and carrying a sports bag.

The third man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 170cm tall with a thin build and curly hair with shaved sides. He may be in his late teens.

He was wearing a Chicago Bulls #13 jersey, black Nike shorts, black Nike slides and carrying a black satchel bag.

The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 160cm tall with a slim build and dark hair.

She has a number of distinctive tattoos on her chest, leg and arm and was wearing a red bikini.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or recognises one of those described is urged to contact police.