A Melbourne policeman has been stood down after he allegedly punched an elderly woman in the face while she was being treated in hospital.
Sylvia Villani, 70, claims she was punched by the officer at the Northern Hospital in Epping in the city’s north in April.
The officer has since been charged with recklessly causing injury and was stood down following an internal investigation.
The distraught woman sustained a broken eye socket in the alleged attack, which she claims happened for no reason
‘I threw a bit of bread on the ground. I had my leg in a plaster,’ she told 9 News.
‘I was in a wheelchair and he punched me.’
The 70-year-old said the alleged attack was painful and it left her eye ‘black and blue’.
Ms Villani still cannot walk or sit and can’t understand why the the alleged attack happened.
Sylvia Villani, 70, (pictured) was allegedly punched in the face by a Victorian police officer while she was being treated in hospital
‘I did call him some nasty names, I wasn’t happy, (but) I didn’t deserve it,’ she said.
Ms Villani’s family claim that they were only told about what is alleged to have happened after doctors called them.
Her son Rick claimed was told that three police officers were sent to the hospital due to another incident before the alleged assault took place.
He was ‘absolutely shattered’ when he found out what allegedly happened to his mother and is ‘still dumbfounded’.
The 70-year-old (pictured) suffered a broken eye socket in the alleged assault
The alleged incident took place at Melbourne’s Northern Hospital (pictured) in April
Mr Villani also claimed the family have not been offered further details.
‘I know my mum’s got mental health issues, and she’s not perfect. They’ve treated me, my wife and my mother with no respect,’ he said.
Victoria Police said the male officer who allegedly punched the 70-year-old in the face was on duty at the time.
He was charged with one count of recklessly causing injury and will appear in Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on September 9.
