MTA worker Noreen Mallory got less than a sweetheart deal when she was punched in the face last Valentine’s Day while working at the Wall Street No. 4/5 station. On Monday, the man accused of assaulting her was in court.

With an Arabic interpreter by his side, 25-year-old Abdellahi Mohammed entered a not guilty plea.  According to the Manhattan DA, Mallory approached him when he was sleeping under a bench.  That’s when he allegedly punched her in the face, breaking her eye socket.  Mallory and reps from the Transit Workers Union had expected a quicker resolution to the case.

“But what’s really appalling and very disgusting to me is he had the nerve to plead not guilty. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life when you’re on video pummeling our member,” TWU Vice President Robert Kelley told News 12 New York.    Mallory says almost four months later, she’s still feeling the effects of the attack.

“I’m still having trouble sleeping...it’s hard to deal with,” she said.

News 12 reached out to Mohammed’s attorney, but he declined to comment.  Mohammed’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 25.