Retail worker allegedly attacked by man in Cranbourne

A mum of three has been left bloodied and bruised after she was allegedly punched in the face on her way to work in Cranbourne.

Laura Gilchrist was allegedly attacked while working to work at Cranbourne Park shopping centre.

A terrified mum of three is living in fear after she was allegedly randomly attacked by a homeless man in Melbourne’s southeast.

Lara Gilchrist, 31, was on her way to work at Cranbourne Park shopping centre when she was allegedly punched in the face by the man about 8am on Thursday.

Ms Gilchrist told the Herald Sun she was walking in the opposite direction to him when he allegedly assaulted her near the intersection of High St and William St.

Lara Gilchrist was taken to hospital with facial injuries.

She was left with a broken nose and bruising.

The man allegedly fled the scene while Ms Gilchrist was helped by several witnesses.

She was taken to Casey Hospital with facial injuries including a broken nose, swollen eyes and bruising.

The retail worker, who believed the accused was homeless, said she was terrified she could be attacked again.

“I’m just anxious. I can’t just avoid the area and not go to work,” she said.

“It’s not fair for me to feel unsafe just going to work.”

A Victoria Police spokesman said the 38-year-old man, with no fixed address, was charged with recklessly causing injury.

He was remanded to face Frankston Magistrates’ Court on May 5.