TWO police officers were assaulted by Cirencester man Jack Ayres, 20, in Castle Street Cirencester at the weekend, it is alleged.

Mr Ayres, 20, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court today where he was accused of assaulting the officers and obstructing another in the course of their duty in the early hours of Saturday morning.

It is alleged that in the incidents which happened at around 1am, Mr Ayres, of Burge Court, assaulted one of the police officers by grabbing him and knocking him to the ground and as a result the officer sustained a broken tooth and bruising to his face and hands.

With the help of other officers Ayres was arrested and taken into custody.

Shortly before the alleged assault, a 43-year-old Cirencester man was knocked unconscious during an assault near Stoneys restaurant in Castle Street and he was later treated for concussion and bruising at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

A crowd of people gathered as Mr Ayres was arrested and police have condemned their actions.

Chris Wright, a sergeant at Cirencester Police Station, said: “During the incident a crowd gathered in the street and the actions of some of those present were questionable at best. Some of the crowd appeared to be egging on the young man who was arrested. We would like to speak to those people and appeal to other members of the public who were trying to enjoy a night out in Cirencester to help us identify them and provide any evidence that they can about the assaults.”

No further action is being taken by police on the assault of the 43-year-old man as the victim says he does not wish to press charges.

Paul Spurr, owner of Stoneys restaurant which was closed at the time of the assaults, said he is shocked about what happened.

“It is very unusual, it is a really decent town and it is a surprise you get them sort of people in the local community.”

He added that these incidents were very unusual as the Cirencester Behave or Be Banned (BOBS) scheme, which allows landlords to ban troublemakers, is an effective means of curbing violent behaviour in the town.

Call 101 quoting Incident numbers 63 and 33 of June, 13 2015 if you have any information about the assaults.

Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.