Police allege customer broke Woolies worker’s nose

A young woman was allegedly repeatedly bashed in the face by her customer at a Queensland Woolworths store in a random and unprovoked attack. Police have released images of two women they’d like to talk to.

Police are seeking public assistance to identify these women who may be able to help with the investigation. Picture: Via Rockhampton Morning Bulletin

A random and unprovoked attack on a young Rockhampton grocery store worker has left a young girl with serious facial injuries, including a suspected broken nose, as police work to track down the attacker.

The 20-year-old Woolworths cashier was standing behind the service desk counter at the Northside Plaza Shopping Centre when a verbal altercation between her and an unknown female broke out around 6.30pm Monday, police allege.

The woman had asked for assistance from the young cashier before the worker went to turn away from the woman, who then grabbed her by the hair and yanked her back around, police allege. The worker was then allegedly punched repeatedly in the face and head.

Store security intervened and the alleged attacker fled the scene. 

Paramedics attended the scene before taking the worker to Rockhampton’s Mater Hospital for facial injuries. 

Witnesses took to social media following the traumatic event.

“A customer assaulted a staff member for doing her job. Imagine going to work and having to worry about being bashed for no reason,” one user wrote, before going on to say he doubted if the young employee would return to work. 

“The young girl that was assaulted is an amazing, caring person. I know this will shock her though, and can probably guarantee she will never work there again.”

A Woolworths spokesman said: “There is no place for violence like this anywhere in our community.

“Our thoughts are with our team member and her loved ones at this difficult time. We’ll be offering her our full support as she recovers.

“We continue to assist police with their inquiries.”

Police investigations into the alleged assault are ongoing, as officers work to find the alleged attacker.