Craig Stewart Thompson pleads guilty to affray after violent and sustained attack on Covid vaccine workers

Footage of a shocking and unprovoked assault that saw a Newcastle man lunge at a Covid vaccination worker with broken glass has been played in court.

A man who kicked and hit staff in an unprovoked attack at a Newcastle Covid vaccination clinic initially told police he had been the victim.

Craig Stewart Thompson, 54, was arrested on Wednesday after the shocking assault at Pharmacy 4 Less Jesmond last week.

He appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to affray and failing to comply with the public health order by not wearing a face covering.

Craig Thompson seen on CCTV yelling at terrified pharmacy workers. Picture: Supplied.

Thompson arrived at the pharmacy for a vaccine appointment on Friday afternoon but quickly became aggressive towards the 17-year-old worker taking his details at the door.

“The accused provided his name, date of birth and phone number,” police said in court documents.

“When he was asked for his email address, he immediately became enraged and started to yell at (the worker) for no apparent reason.”

Thompson repeatedly called the girl a c**t, before turning his attention to a female customer who had stepped in, calling her a w***e and a s**t.

Craig Thompson goes to strike one of the pharmacy workers. Picture: Supplied.

The young worker called for assistance and several other staff members rushed to the front of the store and told Thompson to leave.

He got close to and screamed in the faces of various workers and customers before the confrontation turned physical.

“(Thompson) was also carrying a large plastic bag that was full of empty bottles,” police said.

“(He) pushed (another worker) in the chest and then swung his bag of bottles at him.

“The bag of bottles fell to the ground and (Thompson) picked up a bottle off the ground and threw it at (the worker) with force.

“(He) lunged out with the glass towards (the worker’s) stomach but pulled back and quickly stopped himself.”

Craig Thompson repeatedly kicked staff and other customers. Picture: Supplied.

In the documents police said Thompson cut himself on one of the bottles but blamed staff, yelling “you cut me, you cut me”.

His blood flicked on one of the workers who had also cut themselves in the struggle. They now face an anxious six-month wait for hepatitis and HIV test results.

Thompson continued to kick and swing at staff until they were able to close and lock the door on him.

In the documents police said Thompson still claimed to be the victim when officers knocked on the door of his Jesmond home later on, but that he changed his tune when shown CCTV of the assault.

Craig Thompson has pleaded guilty to affray. Picture: Supplied.

“At no point did anyone in the store provoke the accused or give him permission to assault them,” police said.

“There is no logical reason behind this violent outburst.”

The footage was shown in court on Thursday, prompting Magistrate Janine Lacy to call the attack sustained and very serious.

“You were clearly undeterred by the presence of multiple witnesses who seemingly ended up becoming victims,” Ms Lacy said.

“The community has zero tolerance in the nature of the circumstances of the lockdown.”

Craig Thompson will return to Newcastle Local Court on October 7. Picture: Amy Ziniak.

Lawyer Ashleigh Myers applied for bail on Thompson’s behalf, telling the court he was bipolar and off his medication.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Lyn Palywoda opposed release, and said Thompson had a history of violence and posed an ongoing threat to the community.

Magistrate Lacy ultimately agreed, refusing bail and remanding Thompson in custody until his sentencing on October 7.