Charlotte Mccomber: Woman to remain behind bars over alleged violent and public attacks

A 57-year-old woman accused of a series of violent and racially motivated attacks on random members of the public in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been refused bail. Here’s what happened in court.

A 57-year-old woman accused of a series of violent and racially motivated attacks on random members of the public in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been refused bail. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A 57-year-old woman accused of a series of violent and racially motivated attacks on random members of the public in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been refused bail.

Charlotte McComber faced Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday via audio visual link after being arrested on Friday morning for allegedly assaulting four people — all of an Asian background and unknown to the accused — within hours of each other in Kingsford and Maroubra earlier this week.

Police allege the woman launched an unprovoked attack spree that began on Wednesday about 3.35pm with the alleged assault of a 22-year-old woman walking along Anzac Parade in Maroubra.

About 5.30pm, McComber allegedly attacked a 25-year-old woman at a light rail stop on Anzac Parade, Kingsford.

She then allegedly launched another attack just over an hour later on a 23-year-old female supermarket employee while she a customer.

The final alleged attack took place again near a light rail stop on Anzac Parade, targeting a 19-year-old woman about 9.20pm.

The accused allegedly punched individuals of Asian background in four separate incidents on Wednesday night, including twice at a light rail stop in Kingsford. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Eastern Beaches Police Area Command officers arrested McComber about 7.45am on Friday on Anzac Parade in Kingsford following investigations into the incidents.

She was charged with three counts of common assault, destroying or damaging property, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A court heard the prosecution opposed her release on bail due to the “unacceptable risk” she posed to community safety, particularly to people of Asian background, and cited the accused’s lengthy criminal history which included violent offences and previous breaches of court orders.

The accused’s legal aid defence solicitor however argued his client had shown a “change in attitude” exemplified by her lack of offences or interactions with police over the past two and a half years.

He told the court concerns of risks to the community could be mitigated by strict bail conditions including daily reporting to police, an order preventing McComber from entering the supermarket and nearby areas where the alleged offences took place, abstaining from alcohol and continuing treatments for physical disabilities including chronic spinal pain.

The prosecution opposed the McComber’s release on bail at Parramatta Bail Court due to the “unacceptable risk” she posed to the community, particularly to people of Asian background,

Magistrate Michael Stoddart described the alleged attacks in court as “appalling” and “disturbing”, and noted the prosecution had a strong case due to having CCTV footage and photos taken by members of the public during the incident.

“It’s quite disturbing that people just walking down the street are being punched in the face or assaulted … one of them while working at a supermarket,” Mr Stoddart said.

Mr Stoddart ultimately rejected the bail bid stating he had “no confidence that the community would be protected” if the accused was released.

McComber will remain in custody until her next court date set for July 9 at Waverly Local Court.

Originally published as Charlotte Mccomber: Woman to remain behind bars over alleged violent and public attacks