A MAN and a woman were assaulted in Christchurch in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The incident unfolded at around 12.30am in the High Street, Dorset Police said.

The man and woman, both in their 20s, were walking when they were approached by a man they had encountered earlier that night in Ye Olde George Inn, in Castle Street.

The man punched the male victim to the face and then reportedly attempted to strangle the female victim as she went to intervene.

A police spokesperson said the male victim was left with swelling to his left eye and the woman had a sore throat but no visible injuries.

PC Ran Hartman-Turner, of Dorset Police, said: “We are investigating this incident and have obtained a CCTV image of a man we would like to identify.

Dorset Police are keen to speak to this person

“I would ask anyone with information relating to his identity to please make contact with us.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have relevant footage captured via dashcam, home CCTV systems or doorbell cameras.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55230049985. They can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.