James Cattell pleaded guilty to robbing Swansea tobacconist and violently assaulting employee

An employee at a Lake Macquarie tobacconist was punched and kicked in a violent robbery close to closing time before being chased up the street by his attacker. Here’s the latest from court.

James Cattell stole about 30 vapes from the Swansea tobacconist. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It was five minutes from closing time for a Lake Macquarie tobacconist before a frightening encounter saw him bruised, battered and chased down the street.

Just before 6pm on January 9, police facts said James Cattell – with a takeaway container of food and a small empty bottle of vodka in his hand – stormed the Swansea tobacconist on Pacific Highway and demanded the employee give him “all the vapes”.

Court documents said the 26-year-old held the bottle in an aggressive manner and was moving it in a “striking motion” towards the staff member.

When he briefly put it down on the counter, the 24-year-old employee snatched it and put it under the counter which angered Cattell who then threw the EFTPOS machine on the floor and continued with his demands.

Police facts said Cattell then confronted the employee and kicked him in the stomach, headbutted him and punched him several times to the face.

The Pacific Highway tobacconist at Swansea which Cattell hit on January 9, 2024. Picture: Google Maps

His violent actions prompted the man to hand over about 30 vapes in a black bag from the drawer.

Court documents stated that Cattell was about to leave, when he saw the staff member on the phone. He doubled back and demanded he hand it over and tried to assault him again.

The 24-year-old made a run for it and escaped down the street with Cattell in tow, and ran into a nearby Woolworths where he was helped by the store manager before the 26-year-old fled.

Police facts said he then stole a red giant bike from outside the front of the store and rode it to the nearby Swansea RSL where he then tried to sell the vapes to a table of minors.

“You guys want some vapes? I’ve got any flavour,” he said according to police facts.

But he was stopped in his tracks with one of the adults on the same table an off-duty police sergeant who approached Cattell with other family members before he was thrown out by security.

Court documents said on his way out he struck a 16-year-old boy giving him a bleeding lip before police were called and he was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.

Police facts said he told officers he was trying to sell vapes that he purchased for $10 and said, “I accidentally busted the youngin, I sorta slapped him”.

In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday Cattell appeared via video link as he pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery use corporal violence, intimidation, larceny, attempt to dispose of stolen property and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He’ll head to the District Court in February for a sentence date to be set.