Police called to pub smoke brawl

A fight broke out and a 22-year-old female bar manager was allegedly assaulted after a smoker was asked to leave a Wanganui hotel on Saturday.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said she had just come on duty at the Sports Bar of the Red Lion Inn, when one man lit up, and was told he could not do so indoors. He took exception to this, she said.

The bar manager asked him to either comply with the new Smokefree Environments Act or leave. He became abusive, she said.

He was told police would be called. When the manager tried to confiscate his remaining alcohol she said she was grabbed and shoved. Another bar patron came to her aid and then one of the smoker's companions got physical as well, while others joined in to try to break up the fight.

By the time "six to eight" police officers arrived five minutes later, helpful bar patrons had edged the smoker and his companions to the door.

Police were then allegedly assaulted by a woman and fighting started again.

Three people have been charged with disorderly behaviour and a fourth with assaulting police and resisting arrest. They are due to appear in court on Thursday.

- NZPA