An entrepreneurial tourist got more than he bargained for after seeing a niche in the after-hours snack market last week.

Port Douglas Police say a 30-year-old European tourist had been operating an illegally-run sandwich stall out the front of the Port Village Shopping Centre for a couple of weeks during the early hours of the morning.

But at 1am last Saturday morning, police say the man, who had been living at a local backpackers’ hostel, was approached by a Caucasian male, who returned 15 minutes later and allegedly assaulted the sandwich seller without provocation.

The man sustained cuts and injuries to his nose and elbow after being punched and kicked by the offender, who decamped before police arrived.

Anyone who witnessed the assault is asked to contact Port Douglas Police.

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Police are appealing for witnesses into the theft and crash of a blue modified ute in Port Douglas last Thursday afternoon.

It is alleged a 1999 Holden Statesman utility was parked outside the Port Douglas Tattoo Shop on Owen Street at 4pm and is believed to have been stolen with access gained via an open sunroof.

Police say the car was seen being driven erratically near the Port Douglas Yacht Club before it crashed near the intersection of Port and Wharf streets at around 4.30pm.

It is believed the offender was seen running from the scene and police say the car was most likely regarded as a write-off.

If anyone has any further information, please contact Port Douglas Police Station on 4099 5220. 

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