Wei Guo guilty of assaulting shoplifter at R&W Super Bargain store in Coffs Harbour after racist taunt

A Coffs Harbour shop owner claims he was racially abused by a young shoplifter – but a court found he went too far when he caught up with the teen. Here’s why.

R&W Super Bargain Coffs Harbour store owner Wei Guo appeared at Coffs Harbour Local Court on November 21, 2022, after being charged with common assault for swinging a teenager to the ground who had taken items from his store.

Respected businessman Wei Guo says his discount retail shops are constantly targeted by light-fingered teenagers – but now he’s found himself on the wrong side of the law after tackling a girl at Coffs Harbour who stole and allegedly racially abused him.

Guo, 35, was found guilty of common assault when he appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday over an incident outside his R&W Super Bargain store in Harbour Dr on November 21 last year.

As the owner of the shop and another in Tamworth, Guo said he watched two teen girls on CCTV when they entered his Coffs Harbour store at about 5.30pm.

The R&W Super Bargain Coffs Harbour store in Harbour Drive.

He told the court he noticed one had placed a couple of items in her bag but was “waiting for them just in case they buy”.

Guo said he asked the girl – identified only as ‘JF’, who did not appear at court – to empty the contents of her bag into a blue shopping basket, with the intention of returning the items that belonged to her and keeping those which did not.

“She started (to) run and I hold her,” Guo said, “in the shop she was being racist.”

“(She said) let me go you f**king Asian dog.”

Guo said he told her “I’m not going to call the police, I just want to take my things”.

The store owner chased the girl outside, grabbed her by her sleeve and swung her to the ground, which was captured by CCTV from the neighbouring Pushka shop.

Wei Guo leaves Coffs Harbour Local Court.

Guo reported the shoplifting, while the girl also lodged a complaint with police about the alleged assault.

Questioned by the police prosecutor about his response in grabbing the girl, Guo said: “She just fell … I don’t think I use too much power”.

The court heard the stolen items consisted of a packet of stickers, five mini craft jars and a Bic lighter – all up worth around $7.

“It’s not about the (amount of) money,” Guo said.

The prosecutor said Guo’s response to the incident was “extreme”, while defence lawyer Carlo Bianchino argued it was “proportionate and reasonable”.

Guo told the court police varied in response when he reported shoplifting – sometimes attending the store, sometimes not.

“(But) my things never come back,” he said.

Magistrate Julia Virgo said while the law permitted people to act in self-defence to try and stop goods from being unlawfully taken, she noted ‘JF’ was a slightly built teen, and Guo – “he is bigger”.

Ms Virgo said she could empathise with Guo’s frustrations, but noted “concerning evidence” about his attitude to teenagers.

Mr Bianchino said his client was a “person of some reputation”.

As well as running stores at Coffs and Tamworth, Guo is a qualified civil engineer and also had a construction business in Sydney, Mr Bianchino said.

Ms Virgo found Guo guilty of common assault, and convicted and fined him $1000.