A heavily pregnant 26-year-old woman was walking to work in Sydney's inner east on Tuesday morning when she was allegedly assaulted by another woman who suddenly emerged from an alcove.
NSW Police said there was no provocation for the attack in which the woman was allegedly punched repeatedly in the head by the stranger.
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The alleged assailant, 28, then pulled the victim's hair and rammed her into a power pole on Wentworth Avenue in Surry Hills.
The victim, who is 30 weeks pregnant, fell to the roadway where she was helped by a passerby who attempted to separate the women.
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"The civilian did not hesitate to leap to the rescue of the pregnant woman and we commend his bravery," said Chief Inspector Adam Johnson.
At the same time, a probationary police constable, who happened to be walking by just before 9am, restrained the alleged attacker.
"We would also like to praise the swift response of the probationary constable who saved the woman from further harm," Chief Inspector Johnson said.
Nine News reported the constable, who shielded the victim from a further assault, had only been with the police force for three weeks.
The alleged attacker was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
She appeared in Central Local Court where she was ordered to remain in custody.
The pregnant woman was taken to hospital for observation and treatment.
The child's father told 2GB's Ben Fordham the unborn child was unharmed.