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Woman allegedly spits on teen in racist coronavirus attack on city street

A teenager has been charged for allegedly spitting on and verbally abusing two women in Sydney, blaming them for the coronavirus outbreak.

The young women, aged 23 and 19, who are of Asian appearance, were crossing Petersham Road in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west on Monday about 3pm when they heard two women behind them allegedly yelling about their race and linking them to the deadly virus.

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In a post shared on Facebook on Monday, one of them explained how things escalated when they turned around to confront the women.

“My sister and I had enough and wanted to defend ourselves so we responded with, ‘excuse me, what did you say, say it again’,” she wrote.

The woman in grey was filmed yelling abuse at the two sisters. Source: Facebook
The woman in grey was filmed yelling abuse at the two sisters. Source: Facebook

She said despite being glad they stood up for themselves, it was what provoked one of the girls to run towards them and threaten them.

NSW Police have since released a statement confirming the woman, who allegedly confronted the sisters, is actually a 17-year-old and has since been charged.

Police will allege in court, as the teenager walked away, she spat at the younger of the two sisters, and the saliva hit the 19-year-old in the eye.

“The woman allegedly attempted to kick one of the girls, before a bystander intervened and told her to leave,” NSW Police said.

“As she walked away, she allegedly spat towards the younger woman – hitting her in the eye – before leaving the scene.”

The younger of the sisters was assisted by a bystander in flushing out her eye, and then sought medical attention.

These women were accused of blaming the sisters for coronavirus. Source: Facebook
These women were accused of blaming the sisters for coronavirus. Source: Facebook

The 17-year-old was arrested on Tuesday in Marrickville, following police inquiries.

“She was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with three counts of common assault, use offensive language in/near public place, and two counts of attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm,” NSW Police said, adding another teenage girl was spoken to by police and was released without charge.

The 17-year-old will front court on Friday May 1.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or can provide any information to investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report online.

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