Craig Thompson sentenced for violent attack on Covid vaccination workers in Jesmond

A man who lunged at Covid vaccination workers with broken glass in an “horrific” unprovoked attack said he’s embarrassed by the media attention he has received. See the video.

A man who lunged at pharmacy staff with broken glass in a shocking and unprovoked attack during his Covid vaccination appointment “can’t explain” what set him off.

Craig Thompson, 54, was arrested one week after the August 20 assault at Pharmacy4Less Jesmond.

He previously pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court to affray and not complying with the public health order, and was on Thursday sentenced to at least eight months behind bars.

In documents tendered to the court, police said Thompson began yelling and swearing at a 17-year-old worker “for no apparent reason” after she asked for his contact details.

Customers and other workers tried to help the young staffer by asking Thompson to leave.

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

“(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.”

Thompson’s lawyer said he was drinking and off his bipolar medication at the time of the attack. Picture: Supplied.

CCTV of the assault shows Thompson kicking and swinging at staff until they were able to close a door on him.

Thompson wasn’t properly wearing a face mask during the altercation, prompting police to also charge him with not complying with the public health order.

In court police prosecutor Sergeant Ashley Cooper labelled the assault “horrific”.

Lawyer Nichole Orr said Thompson was drinking and off his bipolar medication at the time.

“It was an ugly scene and would have been highly confronting,” Ms Orr said.

“He is disgusted by his behaviour and extremely remorseful and very embarrassed.

“His intention on the day was to get the Covid vaccine. He can’t explain why he behaved in such a way.”

Ms Orr told the court Thompson’s embarrassment had been compounded by media coverage of the attack.

The police prosecutor described the attack as “horrific”. Picture: Supplied.

Magistrate Ron Maiden revoked a 2020 intensive correction order Thompson had been sentenced to for intimidation and assault.

He told the court the pharmacy attack was “far too serious” for Thompson to be given another community-based sentence.

“(This offence) is serious in the current circumstances under which we are living,” Mr Maiden said.

“I don’t think I could even attempt to deal with what happened that day any better than what was seen on the (CCTV) video.”

For the affray and public health order breach, and in place of his earlier community-based order, Thompson was sentenced to a total 15 months behind bars with a non-parole period of eight months.

With time served on remand Thompson will be eligible for release in April next year.