Monday 18 November 2019

Man Charged over String of Newcastle Assaults

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man is due to face court accused of robbing and assaulting a number of people, including a police officer, across Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

The 25-year-old is accused of threatening and demanding cash from a man on Brown Road, Broadmeadow around 1pm, before forcing him to the ground and stealing a mobile phone, a pair of glasses, headphones and a powerbank.

About five minutes later, police say the same man entered a store on nearby Belford Street, where he allegedly grabbed a 44-year-old woman and forced her to the ground.

A struggle ensured and the man fled the scene.

Police allege the man approached a car on Church Street, Mayfield, an hour later and assaulted a man sitting in the passenger seat while demanding cash and the keys to the car.

Officers were called to the scene and managed to arrest the man after a short foot chase, during which a male constable was spat at.

The man has been charged with aggravated robbery, common assault, aggravated assault with intent to rob and assaulting a police officer.