A few hours out to dine and enjoy activities at a famous child-friendly restaurant ended in disaster for a local woman who was there with her partner and child recently.
The woman, Mix Panda Thomson, posted photos of bruises on her face, claiming that she was attacked by a patron whom she earlier reported for smoking in a non-smoking area of the restaurant.
Panda’s intention, according to her post, was to protect her asthmatic child from being exposed to cigarette smoke.
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She claimed that she reported patrons who were smoking at a table next to the jungle gym (where her child was playing) to management. “They were hiding the cigarette under the table as they knew it was not allowed,” she said, adding that none of the staff members could see what they were doing.
She said she managed to catch them out after she started to smell cigarette smoke. “So I decided to protect my child from having an asthma attack. Therefore, I decided to speak to management,” she explained.
She said the patrons obviously picked up it was she who reported them and consequently followed her into the bathroom.
To avoid any trouble, Panda said she locked herself in a cubicle, but she knew she could not stay there forever. “As I stepped out, I was repeatedly asked why I complained,” she said, also claiming that in the midst she was assaulted verbally before things got worse for her.
“I got grabbed by the face and then was hit in the face and on my head repeatedly, while my hair was being pulled out. My face was bruised and my hair still falls out,” she lamented.
She added that her aggressor’s partner threatened her boyfriend. Fortunately, they were kicked out, but returned shortly afterwards to cause an even bigger scene. Pandemonium broke out inside the restaurant, forcing management to press the panic button.
Panda said the manager protected her while management dealt with the aggressors.
“I wish to thank the owner and staff of the restaurant for handling the situation the best way they could. They kept me safe and feeling secure. They prevented things from getting uglier,” she said.
When asked it she would visit the restaurant again in future, she had no doubts. “This is one of the most amazing [restaurants] I will ever go to. It even has a real aircraft made safe for kids to play on in their playground.”
The victim was approached for comment to find out whether a case had been opened at the local police station.
On previous occasions, Honeydew Police Station spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan, has encouraged victims of assault never to hesitate to open a case.
