A man has been charged after he was found not wearing a face mask on public transport and allegedly biting a police officer yesterday.
About 3.10pm (Saturday 16 January 2021), officers attached to Brisbane Water Police Transport Command observed a man not wearing a mask while travelling on a southbound train between Gosford and Woy Woy.
When police asked if the 43-year-old man had a mask and directed him to provide identification, it is alleged he refused and became aggressive.
As police attempted to arrest him, he tried to punch officers before OC spray was deployed.
It's alleged the man punched a constable before he was wrestled to the floor and bit the constable twice on his stomach area and finger, causing lacerations and bruising.
The man was arrested and removed from the train, however, allegedly became violent again on the platform, kicking out at police.
He was taken to Gosford Police Station where he was charged with not wear fitted face covering in public transport/taxi etc, fail to comply with a direction, resist officer in execution of duty, and assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Woy Woy Local Court on Thursday 11 February 2021.
The constable was taken to Gosford Hospital for treatment; however, he has since been released.
Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
