Elderly woman threatened by man with knife in shocking ordeal at NSW shopping centre
An elderly woman has been threatened at knifepoint at a shopping centre on the NSW Central Coast, with the horrifying ordeal caught on CCTV.
Police said David Clarke bought the weapon from a supermarket in Morisset, in the NSW Lake Macquarie region on Thursday afternoon before allegedly holding it up against the 75-year-old woman's back outside the shopping centre.
A nearby officer confronted the 45-year-old and ordered him to drop the knife, but the alleged offender refused.
Additional officers arrived quickly, and with their weapons drawn they pleaded with Clarke to drop his.
He eventually let go of the woman, Joan Brightfield, but continued to wave his knife in the air and allegedly threaten the officers, police said.
That's when an officer tasered the alleged offender, causing him to fall to the ground.
Officers quickly moved in to make the arrest, before taking Clarke to the Toronto police station.
He was later released then taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment for an injury to his head.
Clarke was later charged with going armed with intent, using a weapon to avoid apprehension, wielding a knife in a public place, affray and common assault.
He's been refused bail and is due to appear in Toronto Local Court today.
The senior constable who put her body on the line returned to work Friday morning. Her peers are referring to her as a dedicated officer, and she's now also being considered for a bravery award.
