Woman on assault charge after alleged train incident

By Bree Fuller
Updated November 6 2012 - 1:49am, first published January 2 2012 - 9:53am

New Year celebrations were short-lived for one Illawarra woman when she was allegedly attacked at Thirroul train station on Sunday morning.Nicole Lee Hancock, 34, of Stanwell Park, appeared in Wollongong Local Court yesterday accused of punching the woman twice in the head, before trying to steal her handbag.The alleged incident took place at 9am on New Year's Day, after the woman and her friend returned home on the train from New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney.According to police facts, Hancock followed the woman around the platform while her friend was in the toilets and asked to borrow a cigarette and lighter.She then claimed to be a police officer and demanded the woman hand over her possessions, the facts said. Police allege that when the woman refused, Hancock punched her twice in the left temple and grabbed at her clutch bag.Yesterday Hancock appeared before registrar Neil Langstaff, charged with assault with intent to rob and impersonating a police officer.During a bail hearing the court heard Hancock had a limited criminal history, but was on a bond for a violent matter at the time of the offence.Mr Langstaff granted her bail, on the condition she seeks treatment for a mental health issue.The matter was adjourned until January 11.

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