Terrified tourists caught up in axe attack

Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland. Picture: Supplied Source: National Features

TOURISTS visiting a Polish castle in the southern city of Krakow Wednesday narrowly escaped an attack by an axe-wielding local whom police dubbed "a madman".

The 48-year-old identified by local media only as Grzegorz S. reportedly drove his car into the courtyard of the historic Wawel royal castle, then jumped out and began wildly swinging an axe at a group of young Polish students being guided by a Catholic priest.

"The Wawel is my home, I don't want any strangers here," he screamed, commercial radio RMF FM reported.

He lunged towards the visitors but when guards tried to tackle him he jumped back into his car and attempted to run them over, the report said.

Guards were able to bring him under control after shooting one of the vehicle's tyres.

"It all looked like an attack by a madman, without any kind of logical motive," Krakow regional police spokesman Dariusz Nowak told local media.

The suspect was reported to have a history of mental illness.

Perched atop a hill overlooking Krakow and the Vistula river, the 14th century Wawel castle is one of Poland's most popular tourist destinations, attracting around a million visitors each year.

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Attack dogs still not seized

The terrifying moment caught on camera a pack of dogs set upon a man in Carlton, leaving him with serious injuries.

FOUR dogs involved in a vicious dog attack in Carlton on Tuesday still haven't been seized by council.

A man, in his 50s, was walking down Drummond St about 8.30pm when he was attacked by several American Staffordshire terriers.

Witness Julie Smith said she saw the dogs corner the man against a fence, where he cowered, screaming.

"The dogs were mauling him. He was cut all over his hands; he was in shock," Ms Smith said.

She said a security guard at nearby public housing flats tried to distract the dogs with a stick, and a driver sounded his car's horn.

Two men eventually got between the man and the dogs and led them away, Ms Smith said.

She said the screaming victim was bleeding heavily, and it took two people to hold him up.

"I was screaming for someone to get a blanket because he was in shock," Ms Smith said.

"I kept saying to him, 'Everything will be all right'.

"When the ambulance took him, his clothes were ripped to shreds."

Yesterday,  a City of Melbourne spokesman said the council was assisting police.

"At this stage, we have not seized any dogs in relation to the incident," the spokesman said.

"Reports indicate that there were no dogs at the scene when animal collection officers arrived."

RSPCA President Dr Hugh Worth today said he wanted to know why the dogs had not been seized. 

"The law of domestic animals act is there and is regularly amended to ensure that it is able to be enforced, but local government is the only enforcer," he said.

The man is recovering at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition, having suffered injuries to his arms, back and legs.

Police arrested two men over the incident. Both were released without charge pending further inquiries.

Police also identified a third man at the scene wanted over unrelated crimes. Pham Quoc, 31, from Carlton, was wanted over an alleged burglary.

He was charged with aggravated burglary and conduct endangering life and faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

angus.thompson@news.com.au

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Teen arrested over attack on schoolboys

A BOY, 15, has been arrested after two teenagers were assaulted in Melbourne's CBD.

The victims, both boys whose exact ages could not be confirmed, were at Melbourne Central station when they were attacked and reportedly robbed on Tuesday about 2.30pm.

The Wantirna College students had been on their way home after a school excursion.

Both were taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital but released a short time later.

The arrested teen is assisting police with their inquiries.

No charges have been laid.

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Mother punched in face in random attack

A MOTHER was punched in the face in front of her young child in a random unprovoked attack on a busy street in Melbourne's CBD.

A 49-year-old woman from Mt Waverley in the city's southeast, was walking south along Swanston St with her 11-year-old son just before 6pm yesterday when she was jabbed in the side of her face by an unknown man.

A good Samaritan wearing a backpack attempted to shield the victim, while an unknown female assisted the victim after the assault.

The offender ran off on Swanston St near Collins St.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

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Flaming tyre attack shock for politician

ARSON: A burning tyre was rolled into the office of Cr Ryan Murphy at Cannon Hill. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

A BLAZING tyre was thrown through a Brisbane City councillor's office window in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Cannon Hill.

It is believed a man threw the tyre through Councillor Ryan Murphy Member for Doboy’s window about 2.40am Tuesday.

The office is located within a shopping complex on the corner of Creek Road and Wynnum Road.

An on-patrol policeman and police dog came across the scene on nightly rounds and alerted other emergency services.

Police said the man allegedly lashed out at the dog, kicking him several times.

He also allegedly punched the police dog handler in the face before being arrested.

ARSON: A burning tyre was rolled into the office of Cr Ryan Murphy at Cannon Hill. Picture: Jono Searle

Cr Ryan Murphy said he had no idea why someone would want to attack his office.

"I'm really shocked," he told ABC radio.

"I think any councillor whose office is attempted to burned down would be."

The fire brigade brought the fire under control quickly and there was no significant damage.

A 41-year-old Kippa Ring man has been charged with attempted arson, serious assault police and injuring a police dog.

He has also been charged with wilful damage, enter premises with intent, stealing and obstruct police.

The man is due to appear in court on Tuesday.

- additional reporting by Thomas Chamberlin and AAP

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