A man is expected to appear in court after he allegedly assaulted and attempted to hold up a pharmacist at a chemist in Hamilton South yesterday.

About 10.40am (Friday 10 October 2014), a man was hanging around the front of the Hassall Street chemist allegedly becoming aggressive towards nearby pedestrians.

An employee from the chemist approached the man and asked him to move away from the area. It’s alleged the 40-year-old man became aggressive and punched the man to the face before leaving.

About 11.45am the same man returned to the chemist and entered armed with a knife. The man demanded drugs and when denied he left. No one was injured.

Police attended and a knife was located nearby.

About 3pm yesterday police attended a unit in Hassall Street and arrested a 40-year-old man who was allegedly aggressive towards police. He was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with assault, attempted robbery, assault police and resist arrest.

The man was refused bail and is expected to appear in Newcastle Local Court today.