Security guard 'spat on, punched' in alleged attack having trouble speaking
A Woolworths security guard allegedly spat on and assaulted by a customer has said he was "left unconscious" after the incident at the Sydney store.
Kingsford Peter Tatai was arrested yesterday afternoon after an "appalling" alleged attack at the Merrylands supermarket in Sydney's west.
The security guard, who did not wish to be identified, was taken to Westmead Hospital with a badly split lip.
"It's just hurting too much," he told 9News.
"I'm not able to speak. I'm speaking very slowly because I'm not able to speak properly."
The 27-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attacking a security guard at the Merrylands Woolworths store. 9News
However, the alleged attacker has not been fined $5000 under new COVID-19 rules, as NSW legislation to protect all workers from being coughed or spat on did not come into effect until midnight.
"This is appalling behaviour," a Woolworths spokesperson told 9News.
People surround the man who was arrested on Sunday afternoon, for an alleged attack on a security guard. 9News
The alleged offender inside the Merrylands Woolworths store. 9News
The spokesperson said Woolies was supporting the police investigation and "will be taking steps to have the customer banned" from the store.
Mr Tatai has been charged with three offences and will appear at Fairfield Local Court on June 27.
He was granted bail, and 9News understands this is his first alleged offence.
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