Newtown: Police appeal after random attack outside bakery

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with an attack in Newtown.

Inner West Police want to speak to this man after a random attack in Newtown.

Police are appealing for help from the public after a man was randomly bashed on Newtown’s King St in the middle of the day.

The man was reportedly minding his own business at about 12.50pm on Thursday walking past the Bourke Street Bakery when he was randomly assaulted by a passer by.

Police say the 28-year-old man was violently punched and kicked in front of shocked members of the public for no apparent reason while waiting for a bus on the intersection of King and Newman Sts.

Police want to speak to the man pictured

The man was left with serious facial injuries and had to be treated in hospital.

Police have been told the man was grabbed by the shoulder and punched in the face, then kicked in the stomach multiple times before the attacker ran away south on King Street towards the Princes Highway.

The injured man has been treated in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for bleeding, bruising and swelling to his face.

Police responding at the scene of the Newtown 7-Eleven

Detectives have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

He is depicted as Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, 170cm-175cm tall, with a large build, about 25-30 years old, with short, black, curly hair. At the time he was wearing a black jacket with a Nike logo, black pants and black sneakers.

Less than 24 hours later a convenience store worker was bashed on the same Newtown street in a similarly shocking incident.

A 23-year-old was reportedly thrown to the ground, punched and kicked when two men stormed the King St 7-Eleven about 5am on Friday and stole money and cigarettes.

The men reportedly fled in a nearby car and are still on the run with two others from police.

“He was visually shaken,” Inner West Police Area Command Acting Inspector Joshua Beaumont said.

“It’s totally unacceptable, preying on the victim in a convenience store was their MO in this.

“The level of violence, there’s no acceptable level of violence, but we’re quite pleased the worker only suffered minor injuries.”

Anyone with any information about the Bourke Street Bakery attack on Thursday is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Inner West Police Area Command on [phone].

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