Aussie couples arrested

BROOKE GARDINER
Last updated 10:54 31/07/2012

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The holiday is over for two Australian couples visiting Queenstown after police were called to separate domestic violence incidents in the resort last night.

Queenstown police arrested two "grossly intoxicated" couples during the early hours of this morning after being called to two hotels, senior constable Chris Blackford said.

One couple, both aged in their early 20s, were arrested following a violent assault at 1.16am. The pair required medical attention for "serious injuries" and were treated by St John staff in the cells at Queenstown police station, where they were held overnight.

A man, described by police as the victim, had a cut above his eye and other injuries "consistent with being hit with a solid object and bitten".

His partner was also injured and was taken to Lakes District Hospital this morning after sobering up.

The couple, who also trashed their hotel room leaving holes in the walls, remain in police custody.

"They will have to pay for the damage and find a new hotel but they won’t be allowed to share a hotel because of our domestic violence policy," Mr Blackford said.

Police are still investigating the incident and charges will follow. The pair are expected to appear before a registrar in the Queenstown District Court today.

Another holidaying couple from Australia also spent the night in the cells after police were called to their hotel room at 12.21am. They are likely to face violence charges and will also appear in the Queenstown District Court today.

The "Aussie invasion" also kept police busy on the streets of central Queenstown overnight with two Australians arrested for fighting.

Just after midnight police were called to a large street brawl on Shotover St and found ‘‘bodies lying all over the place’’, Mr Blackford said.

"They said it was like a battlefield. They had to drive around people lying in the street."

Up to 12 men were believed to be involved in the brawl but most got up and ran off as police arrived.

Two 20-year-old Australian men were arrested for fighting. Both men were released on pre-charge warnings.

Police believe the brawl started after two groups of Australian visitors got into an argument.

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- © Fairfax NZ News

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