Homeless man accused of brutal attack on retail worker

A homeless man who allegedly launched a brutal, unprovoked attack on a retail employee as she made her way to work has been arrested.

A homeless man who allegedly punched a female retail worker in the face as she walked to work has been arrested by police.

At about 8am on Thursday, Lara Gilchrist, 31, was walking to her retail job in Cranbourne shopping centre, about 50km southeast of Melbourne, when she said she crossed paths with a homeless man known in the area.

She suffered a broken nose as well as a swollen eye and significant bruising.

Lara Gilchrist was allegedly attacked by a homeless man in Cranbourne. Picture: Supplied

She suffered a broken nose, significant bruising and swollen eyes. Picture: Supplied

A Victoria Police spokesperson told NCA NewsWire that the man had since been arrested.

“The man did not stop at the scene while witnesses rendered assistance to the woman who was taken to a nearby medical centre with facial injuries,” the spokesperson said.

“Police arrested a 38-year-old man of no fixed place of abode the following day and he has subsequently been charged with recklessly cause injury.”

The man will face Frankston Magistrates’ Court on May 5.

“My face is a little bit scary to look at at the moment,” Ms Gilchrist said.

“I was a mess for a couple of days.

Originally published as Homeless man accused of brutal attack on retail worker