Andrew Kaldas: Man jailed for punching Maroubra pharmacist 19 times

A man wiped away tears as he was jailed for a vicious attack on a pharmacist in which he unleashed a flurry of 19 punches. See the CCTV footage. GRAPHIC WARNING.

A tow truck driver wiped away tears as he was jailed for bashing a Maroubra pharmacist in a “sustained, violent and vicious attack”.

Andrew Kaldas, 23, from Mascot, punched a pharmacist 19 times mainly to the face when he was refused medication at Your Chemist Shop Maroubra in February 2020, following a dispute over a script.

A court heard Kaldas initially pleaded not guilty to the attack, citing self defence, but changed his plea to guilty after watching the shocking CCTV footage during a hearing.

Andrew Kaldas prior to the pharmacy attack.

Magistrate Ross Hudson remarked at his sentencing at Waverley Local Court on Friday that Kaldas’ lack of remorse was a big concern.

The court heard Kaldas, who had one arm in a sling during the attack, underwent surgery for his shoulder the day before the incident and his lawyer submitted medication he had taken influenced his violent behaviour.

However, Magistrate Hudson rejected that submission pointing to the fact Kaldas left the pharmacy after having his script knocked back, then made a conscious decision to go back inside and assault the pharmacist.

“He leaves the pharmacy for a period of time … and makes a conscious decision to return and to land as many punches as he could on the pharmacist,” Magistrate Hudson said.

The attack inside the pharmacy.

“It is aggressive and it is violent and in many ways it is horrific viewing.”

He sentenced him to a jail term of 14 months with a non-parole period of five months for the “sustained, violent and vicious attack”.

Kaldas wiped away tears as he learned his punishment and was led out of the court to the cells.

His lawyer swiftly appealed the jail sentence and made an application for bail pending the appeal process.

Andrew Kaldas (left) outside Waverley Court.

The bail application was refused by Magistrate Hudson meaning Kaldas will remain behind bars.

The court heard Kaldas was planning to get married soon and formerly worked as a tow truck driver, a job he lost after being charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The police facts stated when officers arrived at the chemist following the attack on February 13 last year, the victim had blood stains on his clothing and bruising, swelling and cuts to his face. However, he did not suffer any serious injuries.

The victim told police the offender had entered his store with a script “that had been fraudulently altered” and Kaldas became aggressive following a dispute.