Two shop workers charged after Katherine man loses consciousness in alleged
Two workers, aged 18 and 20, face charges of beating and strangling a 33-year-old man accused of stealing from their Katherine shop.
A man allegedly stole items from a counter in a Katherine shopping centre on Saturday morning and fled. Two retail workers chased him a short distance.
When they caught him, police say the workers punched, kicked, stomped and strangled him over a long period. The man lost consciousness and was taken to hospital, but was later released.
Nearby people stopped the assault. The two workers were also taken to hospital with hand injuries.
All three men were held in custody and appeared in Katherine Local Court. The 33-year-old faces robbery charges; the two younger men face charges for serious harm and strangulation.
- 10:35am on Saturday
- Time of incident
- 18 and 20 years old
- Workers' ages
- 33 years old
- Victim's age
- Katherine shopping centre
- Location
Why it mattersThe case raises questions about how far retail workers can go to stop theft, and the risks of violence when confrontations turn physical.
AustraliaThis incident in the Northern Territory highlights tensions between retail workers dealing with theft and the legal boundaries on how they can respond.
