David Sykes refused bail accused of racially abusing Asian worker in Crown Street Mall

Police allege David Glynne Sykes, 50, repeatedly called the woman an “Asian sl-t” during the vile, expletive-laden rant, which took place around 8.30am on Saturday while the woman was sitting in the eastern end of the mall looking through social media on her mobile phone.

Court documents said the woman, who works at a tobacco shop in the mall, recognised Sykes as one of her regular customers.

She told police a shirtless Sykes approach her and immediately began abusing her, yelling “you f—king Asians, you f—king Asian slut” multiple times.

She claims he then said “you f—king Asian sluts wanna have a cigarette and use your mobile phone” while standing over her.

The victim told police she thought Sykes was going to physically attack her. She stood up to walk away, however Sykes allegedly pushed her back onto the seat with his forearm and grabbed her mobile phone.

The victim asked for it back, but Sykes allegedly kept hold on it and continued his abusive rant before throwing it in the air.

The phone fell to the ground and broke. 

Sykes then walked off while still yelling racially-motivated abuse at the woman over his shoulder.

Police located Sykes a short time later in the St Michaels Anglican Church grounds – an area which he is banned from entering for life.

He was taken to Wollongong Police Station, charged with assault, property damage and intimidation offences and refused police bail.

In court on Sunday, police prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Ryan said the case against Sykes appeared a strong one, with the entire interaction captured on CCTV footage.

However, defence lawyer John Gallagher said Sykes denied the incident occurred at all.

In refusing bail, Registrar Nicole Hoffman said she was concerned at Sykes’ apparent targeting of the woman based on her race.

“It’s a stark feature of this particular incident,” she said.

The case will return to court on January 8.