Overview

This bill makes assaults against retail workers a more serious crime. If someone assaults a retail worker while they're working, the court must consider this an aggravating factor during sentencing, leading to potentially harsher penalties. The bill also mandates that the Sentencing Council create specific sentencing guidelines for these aggravated offences.

Description

The Assaults on Retail Workers (Offences) Bill designates certain offences as aggravated when committed against retail workers during their employment. These offences include:

• Threats to kill
• Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• Malicious wounding
• Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
• Common assault and battery
• Threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour
• Attempts or conspiracies to commit these offences
• Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of these offences

The bill defines a "retail worker" broadly, encompassing employees, owners, and temporary staff in retail premises or those doing retail-related work, even without direct payment. It also includes those delivering goods from retail premises. Crucially, the prosecutor doesn't need to prove the assailant knew the victim's employment status. The Sentencing Council will create guidelines focusing on assaults related to age restrictions, public health measures, and other statutory requirements.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any new government spending. The cost of implementing the bill, such as creating new sentencing guidelines, will be borne by existing government resources. No figures were provided in the text.

Groups Affected

• Retail Workers: This bill aims to protect them by increasing penalties for assaults against them.
• Retail Businesses: May experience a reduction in workplace violence.
• People who assault retail workers: Will face potentially harsher sentences if convicted.
• The Sentencing Council: Will be required to develop specific sentencing guidelines.
• The Courts: Will have to apply the new aggravated offence provisions during sentencing.

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