Teen's disturbing words after 'spitting on train worker'
A teenage girl allegedly spat in a Sydney railway station staffer's face and said "I have COVID" before the man and two of his co-workers were violently assaulted.
Officers are now appealing for information as they search for the girl and a teenage boy also involved in the attack at Blacktown Railway Station on Thursday afternoon.
It's the latest in a number of spitting and coughing incidents in NSW during the COVID-19 pandemic, with several people this week charged for allegedly spitting at police officers, transport and hospital workers.
In Thursday's incident, police say the teenage girl tried to enter the railway station while smoking a cigarette before a male staff member approached to say smoking wasn't allowed.
She allegedly spat on the man's face and said "I have COVID" before walking through the ticket barrier.
A teenage boy then ran over and coughed and spat in the staff member's face before punching him in the neck and the back of the head, according to police.
A female staff member who attempted to intervene was also punched in the head while a third staff member received a small thumb laceration and back injury.
The two perpetrators, believed to be aged between 15 and 17, fled the scene.
The NSW government earlier this month introduced a $5000 on-the-spot fine for people who cough or spit at any workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Spitters can also be charged – with several accused people brought before the courts this week.
They include a 32-year-old woman charged with common assault after she allegedly spat in the face of a bus driver who asked her to stop smoking on a bus at Potts Point on Sunday.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union said the alleged attack highlighted the need for NSW's new anti-spitting punishments to be extended beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
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