Woman Charged After Waitress Allegedly Hit in Face With Plate at Melbourne Cafe
A woman has been charged following an alleged assault on a young French waitress at a busy Melbourne cafe that left the teenager requiring dental treatment.
The incident happened at La Vallee cafe in Essendon, northwest Melbourne, on Anzac Day and has sparked outrage across the local community after CCTV footage circulated online.
CCTV Captures Heated Cafe Incident
According to reports, 19-year-old French backpacker Anais Poupon was serving customers during her shift at around 1pm when the confrontation occurred.
Security footage showed Anais carrying plates toward a table before nearly colliding with a woman walking in the opposite direction around a corner inside the cafe.
Moments later, the woman allegedly struck one of the plates upward into the waitress’s face before knocking other plates from her hands and onto the floor.
The sudden altercation shocked staff and customers inside the restaurant.
Anais later said she was left distressed and confused by the incident.
“She told me, ‘It’s your fault,’” the young waitress reportedly said afterward. “I’m very upset. I did nothing.”
Waitress Needed Dental Treatment
The alleged attack reportedly caused injuries serious enough to require dental work for the teenager.
Cafe owner Josh Rabie described the incident as deeply upsetting and said staff were devastated by what happened.
“She’s a lovely girl, she’s quiet, and it’s the last thing you want to happen to anyone,” he said.
Rabie added that watching the CCTV footage made him “feel sick.”
Woman Arrested and Charged
Victoria Police confirmed that a 52-year-old woman, identified as Tracy Myers, was arrested at Dandenong Railway Station on Saturday morning.
Police charged the Footscray woman with recklessly causing injury.
She briefly appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday and was granted bail.
Authorities confirmed she is scheduled to appear again at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on August 17.
Community Supports Cafe Staff
After the cafe shared the CCTV footage online, thousands of Australians viewed and shared the video, with many expressing support for the young waitress and condemning the alleged violence.
La Vallee cafe thanked the Essendon community for rallying behind its staff during the difficult situation.
“We are beyond shocked,” the cafe wrote in a social media post accompanying the footage.
Many online users also left supportive comments wishing Anais a speedy recovery and calling for justice following the incident.
The case has attracted widespread attention in Australia, especially due to the seemingly unprovoked nature of the alleged attack inside the busy local cafe.
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