Man charged with assaulting Covid healthcare worker

Police have charged a man over drug possession and the alleged assault of a frontline worker at a Sydney Covid testing site.

Four charges, including assault, have been laid against a man who allegedly punched a frontline healthcare worker in the head earlier this week.

Police arrested the 50-year-old man at a home on Shortland St, Telopea, about 10.30am Wednesday after earlier releasing images of a person they wanted to speak to.

The incident occurred about 4pm Monday, when a 31-year-old female worker at a Covid testing site on Kissing Point Rd, Dundas was allegedly approached by man who began filming her on his mobile phone and verballing abusing her about vaccinations.

Police allege he then dislodged the woman’s mask and punched her in the head. Several people awaiting testing exited their cars and assisted the woman before the man ran away from the scene.

The woman was treated at the scene and did not require hospitalisation.

A man was on Wednesday afternoon charged with assault, breaching public health orders and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

He was granted bail and is due to attend Parramatta Local Court on September 28.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys on Wednesday morning said that following a social media call for information this morning, investigators were quizzing a man at a local station over the alleged incident.

“What I can say, which is very pleasing, is as a result of information that has been received that there is a man right at this moment at his local police station assisting police with the inquiries,” Dep Comm Worboys said.

“The behaviour is totally unacceptable, no one would say that there is any reason to behave like that to any person let alone someone that is out there every single day helping us to get through what is a very challenging situation with the pandemic.”

Police released this image of a man they were looking for.

The man involved in the incident ran away from the scene.

Investigators released images of a man they would like to speak to, who was described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 30s, about 165cm tall with a medium build.

He had black curly hair and two moles on his right cheek.

At the time of the incident the man was wearing blue jeans and a grey top with black sleeves.

Police are also appealing for anyone who witnessed the assault or has information about the identity of this man to contact Cumberland Police or Crime Stoppers.