Dustin Martin in drunken altercation at Chapel St restaurantJON KAILA
Herald Sun
an hour agoRICHMOND ace Dustin Martin threatened to stab a young woman in the eye and slammed his hand against a wall behind her head in a drunken restaurant outburst.
The Tigers star today apologised to his victim over the vicious Saturday night attack at Chapel St’s trendy Mr Miyagi restaurant and bar.
Witnesses to the explosion said a menacing Martin had told the petrified woman “I’ll f***ing stab you’’, while holding a chopstick above her eye, after she asked him to calm down.
Dozens of incredulous diners watched as Martin then slammed his open palm into the wall behind her head.
Seconds later, the restaurant manager, a second man and the hostess escorted the regular out of the venue, apologising to other patrons for his behaviour.
It is understood an official complaint was made to the club this morning, with senior representatives pledging to investigate the incident.
At about lunchtime, Martin is understood to have apologised to the 30-year-old victim, accepting responsibility for threatening and intimidating her, conceding he “had too much to drink’’.
Witnesses said the Tigers player was clearly “very intoxicated’’ prior to the incident at about 10pm on Saturday.
“He had been sat in the corner of the bar having shot after shot,’’ one witness said.
After he began disturbing diners the young woman then beckoned Martin over to her table and suggested that given his profile, he should consider quietening down, a witness said.
“Then he erupted,’’ one onlooker said.
The incident happened at trendy Chapel St restaurant and bar Mr Miyagi.
“He wasn’t shouting but he was very aggressive. He was snarling and swearing.’’
The terrified woman begged “go away, please go away’’, according to diners.
Then he raised the chopstick and finally banged the wall next to her head, prompting the manager and staff to drag him out.
“It is not acceptable for a man to threaten a woman like that,’’ one onlooker said.
“The club needs to act, and so do the AFL, if they are serious about tackling violence against women.’’
A co-owner of Mr Miyagi’s, who would not give his name, initially denied anything had happened before later admitting: “something went down.”
“He (Martin) was here with a mate, just sitting at the bar,” he said after consulting with other co-owners.
“An incident happened, some words were said, something went down and I think the manager went over and he was told it was probably best to leave, or I think he knew he should, and he walked out.”
He denied anything happened with a chopstick or a wall being hit.
“He comes in here often. He’s a nice guy.”
The club put out at statement late today:
“Richmond Football Club is aware of an incident at a Melbourne restaurant involving Dustin Martin.
“Martin has admitted he had been drinking before arriving at the restaurant.
“He has subsequently called a female patron to apologise and that apology has been accepted.
“Martin has also apologised to restaurant management.
“The Club leaders will talk to Dustin and consider what action to take later in the week.”
Martin was quoted in the club statement as saying: “Regrettably, I was intoxicated and that in itself is completely unacceptable.
“I do however take responsibility for my behaviour and I am deeply embarrassed.”
“If anything I have said or done has caused anyone to feel threatened then that is totally inappropriate.”
Martin took a trip to Las Vegas at the end of the AFL season, posting happy snaps on Instagram with Collingwood champion Dane Swan.
In 2012 Martin was suspended for two weeks by the club and banned from socialising with former teammate Daniel Conners after the pair slept through a training session.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/dustin-martin-in-drunken-altercation-at-chapel-st-restaurant/news-story/56f92229cabcae3a33288c5748d683c2
