Yea, Victoria: Shocking footage emerges of a cop striking a pubgoer with a baton outside a country pub – as police hit back at claims they Tasered another man for no reason

A shocking video has emerged of a violent altercation outside a rural pub, forcing police to hit back at claims they tasered a man for no reason.

Victoria police officers have been accused of using unnecessary and excessive force outside a pub in Yea, 112 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, just after 10pm on Friday.

Footage taken by a witness appears to show an officer tasing a seated man, while another used a baton against a man who did not resist.

“He just got a Taser… that’s so damn unnecessary,” the witness says in the video.

However, a spokeswoman said police could confirm no Taser was deployed during the altercation after reviewing body-worn camera footage.

It is understood the officer activated the Taser while warning the man to follow his directions, causing the distinctive Taser sound to be heard in the footage.

In another clip, another officer is seen unleashing his baton on a second man.

Witness Charlie Hill said the officer hit the man “three times in the ribs.”

“And he was on the first one and it just wasn’t right,” he told 7News.

A publican is said to have called police after a hostile group reportedly refused to leave the venue when asked about 10pm on Friday.

A police spokeswoman said officers were assaulted before the witness began recording.

“The first police on scene were outnumbered, confronted with a very dynamic scene and had to deploy OC spray to separate those involved in the struggle,” police said in a statement.

‘While police were attempting to provide aftercare, one of the men involved allegedly attempted to assault one of the officers by kicking and punching.

“As police attempted to subdue the man, a woman allegedly jumped on the back of a police officer while the second man attempted to grab the officer’s firearm.

‘OC spray was used again and all three were arrested.’

But witnesses said the reaction was difficult to watch, with one onlooker telling 7News that “it seemed very aggressive, especially for a small town.”

“Nothing really violent happens. “I think they took it way too far,” they said.

Another witness claimed an officer put his knee on a woman’s neck.

“It’s not right, she even said she was having trouble breathing,” they said.

A witness who filmed the altercation, which took place after a group allegedly refused to leave a pub, is heard saying in the video: ‘He’s getting Tasered… that’s so unnecessary’ (pictured)

Police said they had charged two men and a woman following the incident in Yea.

A 29-year-old Taggerty man and a 27-year-old Yea woman have been charged with assaulting a police officer and refusing to leave a licensed premises.

A 26-year-old man from Glenburn has been charged with fraud.

All three have been released on bail and will appear at Mansfield Magistrates Court in September.

On Saturday, Victoria Police released a statement confirming they are reviewing body camera footage and will speak to one of the officers involved.

“Victoria Police are aware of footage showing the conduct of one officer in the final stages of this incident,” it said.

“The matter has been referred to the Professional Standards Command for review.”