Man pleads guilty to assaulting staff, police for not obeying Covid-19 regulations

Police will allege the man, while in an op-shop in the Lismore CBD, failed to use Covid-19 sign-ins and wear his face mask, and then became aggressive when staff told him to leave.

A Lismore man charged with assaulting op shop staff after refusing to obey Covid-19 regulations has pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

Tully Chandler, 46, appeared in Lismore Local Court on Wednesday, August 4.

He pleaded to all charges, including not wearing a fitted face covering in business premises, failing to comply with a Covid-19 public health order, common assault, using offensive language in a public place, entering enclosed land without lawful excuse, resisting an officer in the execution of duty, and three counts of stalking/intimidation.

Police will allege Chandler entered a Keen St store around 1pm on Tuesday but failed to use Covid-19 sign-ins and failed to wear his face mask.

When asked to leave, police will allege Chandler refused and argued with staff, becoming “argumentative and swearing”.

By the time police responded to the scene, the 46-year-old was allegedly shouting and yelling at people in the street.

It is understood solicitor Katherine Brady may apply for the case to be dealt with under the Mental Health Act when it returns to court.

Magistrate Jeff Linden granted Chandler bail on the conditions they report to Lismore Police Station three times a week and not enter the Caroona Opportunity Store for any reason.

He will appear again before Lismore Local Court again on September 6.