Man charged over one-punch attack in Perth city

The homicide squad says a man who allegedly carried out a one-punch attack in Perth city at the weekend had stolen a bank card off another man just hours before.

Police say the man was in the Perth CBD about 8pm on Friday night when he stole a bank card off a stranger and used it to make a purchase.

Just two hours later, it is alleged he punched a 62-year-old man in the head.

Police said the man stumbled and fell to the ground, before his alleged attacker left the scene.

“The 62-year-old man sustained critical injuries and was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition,” a WA police spokesperson said.

The 37-year-old from Scarborough was arrested nearby shortly after the one-punch hit, and has been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated grievous bodily harm, stealing, and gain benefits by fraud.

He is due to appear in court today.

The news comes after Tim Picton’s alleged attacker, who has also been charged with a one-punch assault against the young father, was released on bail last week.

Brodie Dewar has been accused of killing prominent Labor figure Picton in Northbridge last year, and has also been charged over a similar incident over a separate assault outside the Kalamunda Hotel just two days prior.

One-punch laws in Western Australia attract a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, or 25 years if the offender was intoxicated.

Premier Roger Cook said at the time his government would investigate what further action could be taken to crack down on one-punch assaults.

“I think there’s more that we can do to look at the circumstances in which people disperse and end the evening to make that a safer process,” he said.