Sydney Man Charged Over Screwdriver Stabbing

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A man in Sydney, Australia, has been charged after allegedly stabbing a 24-year-old delivery rider more than a dozen times with a screwdriver during a violent street attack.

Police said the incident happened around 9:15 p.m. on Monday, August 18, on Mary Ann Street in Ultimo, a busy inner-city district. The delivery rider, who was making his rounds, was reportedly pushed off his bike by a man who then launched into a frenzied assault with a screwdriver.

After the stabbing, the attacker is said to have walked away calmly, leaving the young rider bleeding in the street. Emergency services quickly arrived, and the victim was rushed to hospital. He was reported to be in serious but stable condition and remains under medical care.

The incident triggered an intensive police investigation. Authorities arrested a 31-year-old man the following day around 1:55 p.m. on Pyrmont Street, Camperdown, a nearby suburb. A search warrant was executed at a local unit, where officers recovered a screwdriver believed to be the weapon used in the attack. The item has been sent for forensic testing.

The suspect has been formally charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, a serious offense under Australian law. He was denied bail and is set to appear in court today.

This case has drawn attention to the risks faced by delivery workers in urban areas, who often work late into the night and can be vulnerable to random violence. Food delivery services have grown significantly in major cities like Sydney, New York, and Los Angeles, where gig economy riders are frequently on the streets. Advocates say such attacks raise broader questions about worker safety, particularly for those on the frontlines of fast-paced delivery jobs.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim, but officials confirmed he is recovering. Police have urged anyone who may have witnessed the attack or noticed suspicious activity in the Ultimo area at the time to come forward.

While the motive for the stabbing remains unclear, prosecutors are expected to argue for a strong sentence given the severity of the assault and the apparent lack of provocation. The case will proceed through the New South Wales court system in the coming weeks.

For now, the delivery rider’s recovery remains the central focus, as his ordeal highlights the dangers that gig economy workers can face. The suspect’s court appearance is expected to shed more light on the circumstances behind the attack.