A man who was offered a face mask as he entered a food store in Murrurundi in the state’s Upper Hunter region yesterday has been charged after police say he assaulted the store attendant.
At around 4.15pm on Tuesday, the 30-year-old victim was working at a food store on Mayne Street, Murrurundi when a man entered the store without wearing a face mask.
“The store employee offered the man a mask, when the man allegedly became verbally aggressive towards the worker and left the store,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“A short time later, the man returned to the store and walked behind the counter, before allegedly assaulting the employee repeatedly and attempting to drag him from the store while threatening him.
“Customers went to the aid of the injured man, and the man left the scene.”
The store employee was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for cuts and bruises to his face and swelling to his left eye, before being taken to Murrurundi Hospital. He has since been released.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were called and, following inquiries, police attended a home on Rosella Street where they arrested a 53-year-old man.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The man was granted conditional bail, to appear at Scone Local Court on November 18.
