ABC Back Roads visited Nimmitabel to highlight its beauty and culinary delights… but got a harsh dose of regional life instead. See the shocking video

Jealousy over not being asked to be part of an ABC TV show could have led to an alleged attack on a cafe owner in a picturesque NSW country town that has now gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

The alleged incident took place in the town of Nimmitabel, in the Monaro region of south-eastern New South Wales, while the ABC TV program Back Roads was filming in the area.

The popular program showcases positive stories about regional Australia and its local characters, traditions, industries and natural wonders.

But the less positive side of small town life was highlighted when a nasty argument reportedly broke out between two locals.

Local man Andrew Thaler arrived at Bertie’s Cafe in the quaint town of 324 on Sunday before a scuffle broke out with owner Sandra Drayton.

Mr Thaler’s alleged confrontation with Ms Drayton degenerated into physical jostling, pushing and heavy swearing before the two were separated by onlookers.

At one point, Ms. Drayton was heard yelling at Mr. Thaler, “Get the fuck out of my fucking business.”

Mr Thaler then suggested to Ms Drayton that she ‘go back to your shop’.

The Back Roads crew had been at the cafe for lunch on Friday, two days before the confrontation broke out.

Ms Drayton told Daily Mail Australia that a possible reason for the confrontation that led to the alleged attack could be Mr Thaler’s “jealousy” over not being involved in the program.

“It’s all because he didn’t get an interview. He told everyone not to come near them (the ABC crew). If they try to get you on video, say no,” she claimed.

“I told him to move on…he picked up his phone and things got heated. He pushed me, I pushed him and his phone hit my face. I grabbed his phone and he had his hands around my neck pushing me against the wall choking me.

“I swore at him quite a bit because he swore and what have you done, and things started to get heated. He walked over to me and I walked out and it started.

“The whole town gets the best coverage from ABC Back Roads, and he’s ruining it for everyone.”

Mr Thaler previously found himself in hot water after claiming he was the spokesperson for the family of tasered grandmother Clare Nowland – despite the family claiming this was not the case.

It has also been revealed that Ms Drayton previously had a dispute with Mr Thaler, complaining about chickens she kept at the back of the property.

She claimed that the video circulating on social media does not fully capture the incident and has been edited.

‘He tells everyone not to come to my café, so why would he come here?

“He came to my cafe for a response and unfortunately got the response he was looking for.”

It is also believed that Mr Thaler, who has since been charged with assault, had been critical of the Back Roads program and the cafe on social media before the alleged row.

“The ABC Back Roads team was not present at the alleged incident which took place at a cafe in Nimmitabel this weekend,” the ABC said in a statement.

‘The team was in town filming for an upcoming episode but were not present at the cafe in question.’

In a statement, a NSW Police spokesperson said officers from the Monaro Police District attended the Bombala St address about 2pm on Sunday following reports that a woman, 48, and a man, 51, had been assaulted.

“A 51-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cooma Police Station,” the spokesperson said.

“He has since been charged with intentionally strangling etc. of persons without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault and remaining in confined, non-prescribed premises without lawful excuse.”

Mr. Thaler posted on Facebook that he is innocent of the charges.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Thaler for comment.

NSW Police confirmed Mr Thaler has been granted conditional bail and will appear in Cooma Local Court on May 22.