GOOD SAMARITANS ALLEGEDLY STALKED, BASHED

BYSTANDERS who tried to break up a fight have been stalked and bashed after a violent altercation outside a Cairns city restaurant as police work to disrupt CBD crime.

Initial police investigations indicate the disturbance broke out on Lake St about 5.20pm on Saturday.

Police say a 54-year-old Cairns North woman attempted to intervene and was assaulted.

The woman then tried to leave but was followed. A 53-year-old Cairns

North man tried to help her, when it is alleged he was also assaulted.

The woman suffered swelling and bruises to her head.

Police arrived at the scene and arrested a 35-year-old Cranbrook woman and 16-year-old Cairns North girl.

Inspector Sonia Smith said Cairns police remained committed to keeping the CBD safe.

“We have a diverse range of highvisibility assets regularly conducting proactive patrols of the Cairns Safe Night Precinct to prevent and disrupt crime,” Inspector Smith said on Sunday.

“This presence allowed our officers to act immediately last night and arrest those alleged to be responsible, to be put before the courts.”

The 35-year-old woman has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

Her bail was refused and she is expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 16-year-old girl was charged with two counts of common assault and one count of possessing dangerous drugs.