Assault caught on CCTV as shocked customers look on

A DISTRAUGHT Darwin mother-of-two and long-time Territorian has told of her mental and physical trauma after she was king-hit while serving customers at a Fannie Bay supermarket.

A DISTRAUGHT Darwin mother-of-two and long-time Territorian has told of her mental and physical trauma after she was king-hit while serving customers at a Fannie Bay supermarket.

Doulla Giallouris, 51, was punched in the left eye in the incident, leaving her with a severe hairline fracture.

The shocking attack, which was recorded by Fannie Bay IGA’s CCTV footage, has led to owner Manuel Kotis calling on community leaders to urgently address increasing violent crime in Darwin, saying this was the fourth assault at his store in two years.

A man, 24, has been charged with assault, unlawfully causing serious harm and stealing, and appeared at Darwin Magistrates Court yesterday, where he was remanded in custody until further mention in October.

The confronting footage shows shocked customers watching on as Mrs Giallouris was attacked while behind the counter at 10am yesterday.

She had confronted the customer for allegedly stealing tins of food, which he can be seen on camera removing from his pockets.

He then turns to leave the store before returning, leaning over the counter and punching Mrs Giallouris, who was taken by ambulance to Royal Darwin Hospital.

“Every time I close my eyes I see him ... and I keep thinking, ‘What if he had a knife or gun’,” an emotional Mrs Giallouris told the NT News exclusively from her home yesterday.

Mrs Giallouris, who has worked at the supermarket for more than 10 years, will require ongoing eye specialist treatment.

“Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I woke up crying and trembling this morning. I keep seeing him coming towards me,” she said.

Mr Kotis – who has himself been hit by a customer in recent years – said the attack was inexcusable and he’d had enough of shop assistants being subjected to violence.

“This is the fourth attack just in my store in two years,” he said. “I can handle it if they want to throw a punch at me, but I will not tolerate having my staff hurt. Doulla was not expecting this.

“People should not have to go to work and be hurt.

“If this had been a young teenager behind the counter the outcome may well have been worse. It’s violent crime and it has to stop.’’

Senior Sergeant Tony Deutrom from Operation Ascari2 said a man was located on a nearby oval soon after.