A well-known musician has suffered horrific facial injuries and memory loss after being attacked outside his home in a quiet harborside suburb.
Brent Dehn, a former longtime guitarist for iconic Australian rock band The Radiators, says he was attacked after leaving his Balmain home on September 12 to smoke a cigarette after a long conversation with a friend on the phone.
But he can’t remember a single detail.
He only remembers waking up hours later with a cracked eye socket and a broken wrist to the sound of police knocking on his door.
“I don’t remember anything about the attack,” Dehn told police Daily Telegraph.
‘The police explained to me that a car had been stolen and that I had apparently encountered the thief.
“I cracked my eye socket all around, I couldn’t see very well… my left wrist and a couple of fingers were broken too.”
Due to serious injuries to his left wrist and hand, the guitarist was unable to perform and had to cancel at least eight performances.
Brent Dehn has played in numerous bands, including strumming for pub rock group The Radiators for almost ten years
Brent Dehn
The attack has also left Dehn afraid of loud music, people and even going to the shops due to the unprovoked attack.
NSW Police confirmed officers were called to the address due to welfare concerns.
‘Police spoke to a 61-year-old man who had suffered facial injuries. He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, did not require any further treatment,” a spokesperson said.
“A crime scene has been established and an investigation has begun into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
No arrests have yet been made following the incident.
Struggling financially, the unemployed musician reluctantly allowed a friend to start a business fundraising on his behalf, which has already raised more than $12,000.
“Brent is a professional musician and music is his livelihood,” wrote lifelong friend and veteran songwriter Dave Wilkins.
A fellow musician said Mr. Dehn was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and is now suffering the financial consequences
‘His injuries brought his music to a sudden halt.’
“He has shared the stage with me over the years, starting with Wrecking Crew and was also a guitarist in the iconic Australian band The Radiators for ten years.”
“Recently, Brent was violently attacked by a group of thugs outside his home during an unprovoked incident.
“Brent was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, unknowingly catching the group up to no good.”
Dehn is grateful for the overwhelming support he has received since.
“I wouldn’t have done this for myself as I’m not normally someone who would want attention, but I have to say I’m eternally grateful,” he wrote in an update on the fundraiser.
NSW Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.