Joshua Hardy death: Family calls for an end to street violence
The family of Joshua Hardy, who died after being assaulted outside a Melbourne fast food restaurant, has pleaded for an end to street violence.
Investment banker Kyle Zandipour has been charged over the 21-year-old university student's death on St Kilda road last week.
Zandipour appeared in court today and was remanded in custody but his lawyers indicated he may apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
It is alleged he threw Hardy to the ground before kicking him in the head.
Speaking outside court, Hardy's uncle Shaun Hardy said his death had been devastating for the family.
"Our family, our friends and many, many communities around the country are absolutely devastated by the death of our son, our brother, our nephew, our friend and grandson," he said.
"Josh was only 21, he had the world at his feet. He had everything ahead of him and it's all been taken away by a brutal act of violence on the street.
"I fear for our children. It was such a senseless death.
"What can we as a society and individuals do about this? We can't make sense of this at the moment but if we ask for anything, we say: no more.
"No more to violence, no more to violent acts that take our children away."
Mr Hardy thanked everyone who had offered the family support over the last week.
Hardy's aunt Kim Hardy added: "This is not right, the violence has to end. Actions have consequences and violent actions have dire consequences.
"We need to teach our children how to deal with their anger using words not fists."
She said it was a "sickening" experience sitting in court for the hearing.
The body of Joshua Hardy will be flown to Darwin on Saturday.
