Police are calling for witnesses after a bartender had his head stomped on in an attack by a group of men outside an Alice Springs pub.

March 22, 2022

A group of men have joined in the bashing of an Alice Springs bartender after he threw out a drunk patron who had threatened people with a metal fence post.

Staff members initially ejected the intoxicated man from Club Eastside about 5.30pm on Monday, Northern Territory police say.

He later returned armed with a star picket and chased a staff member, they say.

“A patron inside the venue attempted to call police when it is alleged the man grabbed the phone from him and smashed it and a nearby computer before throwing a star picket at him,” police said in a statement.

A staff member again removed the man from the bar and they were involved in an altercation outside.

Police said “four unknown men are alleged to have joined the altercation, with one of the men kicking the 63-year-old staff member before stomping on his head”.

The men also threw items at the front of the building before leaving the area.

The staff member was taken to the Alice Springs Hospital.

Police are urging anyone with dashcam video of the area at the time to come forward.

Meanwhile, a policeman suffered concussion after being kicked in the head while responding to a domestic disturbance in Alice Springs overnight.

“This is absolutely disgusting behaviour,” Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole said.

“Officers responded to help the community and stop the cycle of domestic violence, but instead they themselves are viciously assaulted by those who made the call for help.”

The 30-year-old officer was taken to hospital for treatment.

The 38-year-old man was charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. He is expected to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday.