A man has been charged over the alleged assault of a supermarket employee at Newcastle yesterday.
Emergency services were called to a supermarket at a shopping village on Kokera Street, Wallsend, about 2.30pm (Monday 9 May 2022), following reports of an assault.
Police have been told a staff member confronted a male customer before he was struck with a shopping basket. The customer was escorted from the store by staff.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 52-year-old man who reportedly suffered a medical episode following the incident. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition; however, he is now reported to be in a serious but stable condition.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and commenced an investigation into the incident.
With the assistance of the Dog Squad, a 36-year-old man was arrested on University Drive at Birmingham Gardens about 7.15pm.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station before being transferred to the Mater Hospital for treatment, under police guard.
The man was later returned to the station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault person with intent to resist/prevent apprehension, armed with intent to commit indictable offence, custody of knife in public place, break and enter house and steal, and attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm (personal).
He was refused bail by Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 10 May 2022) and is due to appear on Monday 16 May 2022.