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Police were forced to pull out the pepper spray when a man allegedly went on a violent rampage at a northern NSW shopping centre after being asked to put a mask on.
The 22-year-old entered the Lismore Central Shopping Centre just before 1pm Thursday and was approached by a security guard who told him masks were mandatory in retail settings before offering him a face covering.
New rules were brought in this week for four local government areas including Lismore City Council after a coronavirus outbreak at a hens party in Byron Bay, which indicate masks must be worn on public transport, retail stores and all public indoor settings.
After being asked to put the mask on, the man allegedly punched the guard in the face multiple times.
Bystanders rushed to intervene but the man resisted and allegedly punched several people in the face and chest. A male witness sustained bruising to his face and neck.
Footage taken at the scene shows the man being held down as he repeatedly screams: “get off me”.
Police arrived and tried to detain the man but he allegedly kicked a male senior constable several times in the face, chest and hands.
Officers were forced to use pepper spray but the man allegedly continued to struggle and kick at police.
He was eventually arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station where he allegedly bit a male senior constable multiple times on the hand and wrist.
Once again police used pepper spray to detain him.
The officer was taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.
The man was later charged with two counts of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of resisting an officer in execution of duty, assaulting an officer in execution of duty, affray, assaulting a police officer in execution of duty causing actual bodily harm, destroying or damaging property and a detention application.
He was also issued a $1000 fine for not complying with COVID-19 protocols.
The man was refused bail and will appear at Lismore Bail Court on Friday.
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