A man has been charged after allegedly refusing to wear a face mask inside a shop and assaulting a worker in the Upper Hunter.
Police said a 30-year-old man was working at a food store on Mayne Street, Murrurundi, about 4.15pm on Tuesday when a man entered the store without wearing a face mask.
The store employee offered the man a mask, but the man allegedly became verbally aggressive towards the worker and left the store.
A short time later, the man returned to the store and walked behind the counter, before allegedly assaulting the employee repeatedly and attempting to drag him from the shop while threatening him.
Customers went to the aid of the injured 30-year-old, and the alleged attacker left the scene.
The store employee was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for cuts and bruises to his face and swelling to his left eye, before being taken to Murrurundi Hospital. He has since been released.
Police attended a home on Rosella Street, Murrurundi, and arrested a 53-year-old man later on Monday.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The man was granted conditional bail, to appear at Scone Local Court on November 18.
