Hero dad reveals a footy star was his inspiration when he smashed man who allegedly attacked a woman in front of her daughter – as David Koch rewards his bravery
The humble father-of-two who stepped in to stop a man who allegedly assaulted a woman has revealed that AFL icon Byron Pickett inspired his heroic act.
Sangha Chau, 42, was watching buskers play at Adelaide’s Rundle Mall with his family at about 12pm on Sunday when he heard a woman screaming.
The pest controller said he turned to see a woman running down the street with her child.
‘I ran towards her first, then I saw the guy coming,’ he told Seven News.
‘I just threw the elbow and jumped towards him.’
Footage from the street showed a man allegedly chasing the mum and daughter.
Father-of-two Sanga Chau remained calm as he hip and shouldered the alleged attacker to the ground at the scene
Pictured: The moment Mr Chau stopped the alleged attacker in a busy Adelaide mall
The vision captured the moment Mr Chau sprang into action and knocked the man to the ground.
Chau later revealed that he’s a big Port Adelaide fan and that hard-hitting Byron Pickett was his inspiration when he hit the alleged attacker.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch later heard about the news and promptly invited Mr Chau and his family to the president’s function at the club’s first home game.
Mr Chau will also get to meet the players, including Pickett.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has also organised a box for Mr Chau and his family to watch Port and Hawthorn during Gather Round.
After the incident on Sunday, Mr Chau said he forgot he had his son with him at the time and followed his first instinct to step in.
Police said they arrived to the scene to find a 43-year-old woman with non-life-threatening injuries.
‘Members of the public detained the man until police arrived and placed him under arrest,’ an SA Police spokeswoman said.
Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett (pictured) was known for his hard-hitting approach on the footy field
Scott Michael Antrobus, 37, is alleged to have attacked the mother.
He was arrested by South Australian police officers at the scene.
Mr Chau said after a man had been taken by police he continued his afternoon shopping with his wife and children.
Mr Chau had been informed members of the public were wishing to buy him a beer and revealed local personality Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello had even reached out to him.
But, he said he didn’t want anything from the public, instead insisting he was more concerned for the welfare of the victim of the alleged attack.
‘Buy the victim something, some chocolates or flowers to cheer her up, or put it towards a woman’s shelter,’ he said.
Police charged Mr Antrobus with assault, hindering police, and refusing to provide his name and address.
Police also alleged he was in possession of an ice pipe when he was arrested and was in breach of bail.
It is understood he was not known to either the mother or the child.
Mr Antrobus appeared at Adelaide Magistrates Court at the beginning of the week and did not seek bail, according to the Advertiser.
He will face court again in April.
