BY IAN CROUCH
A man is due to front court next month accused of bashing an Upper Hunter store worker after refusing to wear a face mask.
Police say a man entered a food store on Mayne Street at Murrurundi at about 4.15pm on Tuesday and became verbally aggressive towards a male employee who'd offered him a mask before leaving the store.
It's alleged the man returned a short time later and walked behind the counter before assaulting the worker and repeatedly attempting to drag him from the store while threatening him.
Customers went to the aid of the injured employee and the man left the store.
The 30-year-old worker was treated at Murrurundi Hospital for cuts and bruises to his face and swelling to his left eye.
Following inquiries, Police attended a home in Rosella Street, Murrurundi and arrested a 53-year-old man.
He's been granted conditional bail to face Scone Local Court on November 18 charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
