Teenager charged after e-scooter assault in Sydney shopping centre left Graham Bell with broken shoulder

A teenager has been charged after allegedly assaulting a 68-year-old man while riding an e-scooter through a Sydney shopping centre.

Cairns resident 68-year-old Graham Bell said he was visiting Macquarie Centre in Sydney's northwest when a teenager on an e-scooter assaulted him and broke his arm.

A teenager has been charged with assault after allegedly breaking a man’s arm while driving an e-scooter inside a northwest Sydney shopping centre.

Graham Bell, 68, was visiting the Macquarie Centre to pick up some dinner on July 8 when he had an altercation with an electric scooter rider.

“I landed on the ground in a bit of a heap and he’d gone by the time I could pick myself up,” Mr Bell said.

In a statement, police said they “were told about 6pm that same day, a teenage boy allegedly rode towards a 68-year-old man on an electric scooter, before kicking him and then riding off”.

Police searched a home on Marsden Rd, Carlingford about 1.45pm on Wednesday, where they allegedly located and seized $2540 in cash, an amount of cannabis and personal items.

While police were conducting the search, a 17-year-old boy allegedly attempted to run from the scene and was arrested.

Graham Bell’s injury.

Graham Bell’s injury.

The teen was taken to Gladesville Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm; recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime less than $5000; and two counts of possessing prohibited drugs.

Earlier, Mr Bell called for more enforcement on rules banning e-scooters from public spaces.

The injured man was spoken to by security guards, who encouraged him to approach police at the centre’s food court.

The officers directed him to go to a police station and make a statement but, “in a bit of a daze”, Mr Bell first took himself to hospital, where scans revealed he had a broken arm and significant bruising.

It is illegal to ride privately owned e-scooters in public places in NSW, and no e-scooter rental operators currently operate in the area around Macquarie Centre.

Mr Bell, who was visiting Sydney for work, has reported the incident to police and questioned the response of security guards inside the centre.

An x-ray of Mr Bell’s shoulder.

A safety and quality auditor by trade, he said he expected centre security “would notice somebody riding around on a scooter and have already been in the process of looking to do something about it rather than waiting for something to happen”.

“It took about 20 minutes for the security guard to turn up,” Mr Bell said.

Mr Bell said the security guard who did show up told him “it took him a while to find the spot”.

“He also said that there were two guys in the office watching the cameras that were closer.”

A Macquarie Centre spokesman said the centre was aware of the incident and “security personnel promptly attended the scene and provided assistance to the customer involved”.

“In line with our standard operating procedures, we offered to call an ambulance but the individual declined the offer,” the spokesman said.

“The safety and welfare of our customers, retailers and employees is our top priority.”

The spokesman did not respond to specific questions about the e-scooter use or the security expectations visitors can have inside the centre.

In a separate incident, first aid trainer Andrew Brayshaw said he also “nearly got taken out” by teenagers on e-scooters in the shopping centre on Sunday.

“If I hadn’t moved out of the way they would most probably have run into me,” he said.

“[I] must admit over the past few months I have seen an increase in scooters including electric ones in shopping centres.

“Although it’s obvious that they should not be ridden in shopping centres there is no signage saying so.”

The teenager charged with Mr Bell’s assault was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before a children’s court August 11.