Hamilton Police are commending members of the public who intervened in an ugly domestic violence incident that took place outside a central city bar overnight.
Sergeant Jason McKay said about 10 calls were made to the 111 emergency phone service shortly before midnight as horrified bar patrons witnessed a man beating a woman outside a Victoria St bar.
"The woman was said to have been hit several times and was bleeding from the mouth and face, the incident deteriorated further when the woman threw a rubbish bin at the man's parked car and he is alleged to have punched her to the ground.
"This was too much for several patrons of a bar across the road who had seen what had been going on from balconies at the venue they were at and they came down and intervened with several phoning ambulance and Police."
Police arrived to find the 31-year-old man had re-entered a gaming lounge in the bar where he was arrested and charged with assault with intent to injure.
"The woman, aged in her twenties, was treated for her injuries by ambulance staff, we understand the pair were an estranged couple and the dispute was of a domestic nature.
"From a policing perspective this sought of behaviour is not acceptable and we would urge anyone subject to this type of abuse to seek help, be that from the Police or other agencies. We would like to thank those members of the public who intervened and their actions further reinforce the message that domestic violence is not ok."
End