Jealousy over not being invited to be part of an ABC television show may have led to an alleged assault on a cafe owner in a picturesque rural New South Wales town, which has now gone viral for all the wrong reasons.
The alleged incident took place in the town of Nimmitabel, in the Monaro region of southeastern New South Wales, while the ABC television 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 fight allegedly broke out between two locals.
Local Andrew Thaler arrived at Bertie’s Café in the picturesque town of 324 on Sunday before a fight broke out with owner Sandra Drayton.
Bertie’s Cafe owner Sandra Drayton (above) told Daily Mail Australia that Andrew Thaler and his followers were filming the confrontation when the fight broke out.
Drayton claims the video circulating on social media does not capture the incident in its entirety.
The ABC Back Roads team had been to Bertie’s Cafe for lunch on Friday.
Mr. Thaler’s alleged confrontation with Ms. Drayton descended into physical shoving, shoving and some serious swearing before the two were separated by onlookers.
At one point Ms Drayton could be heard shouting at Mr Thaler: “Get away from my fucking business.”
Mr. Thaler then suggested Ms. Drayton “go back to her tent.”
The Back Roads crew had been at the cafe for lunch on Friday, two days before the confrontation broke out.
Drayton told Daily Mail Australia that a possible reason for the confrontation that led to the alleged assault could be Mr Thaler’s “jealousy” over not being involved in the show.
‘It’s all because he didn’t get an interview. He was telling everyone not to come near them (the ABC team), if they try to videotape you, say no,’ he claimed.
‘I told him to move on… he pulled out his phone and things got heated. He pushed me, I pushed him and his phone smashed in my face. I grabbed his phone and he had his hands around my neck and he pushed me against the wall choking me.
‘I swore at him quite a bit because he was swearing and whatever and he started to get heated. He walked towards me and I got out and he started.
“The whole town is getting the best coverage from ABC Back Roads, and he’s ruining it for everyone.”
ABC Back Roads tells positive stories about life in regional Australia
Andrew Thaler (pictured) had already gotten into trouble after claiming he was the spokesperson for the family of grandmother Clare Nowland, who received the Taser, despite the family claiming he was not.
Mr Thaler had already gotten into trouble after claiming he was the spokesperson for the family of grandmother Clare Nowland, who received the Taser, despite the family claiming he was not.
It has also been revealed that Mrs Drayton previously had a dispute with Mr Thaler complaining about the chickens he used to keep at the back of the property.
He stated that the video circulating on social media does not capture the incident in its entirety and was edited.
‘He’s been telling everyone not to come to my cafe, so why would he come here?
“He came to my cafe to react and unfortunately he got the reaction he was looking for.”
It is also understood that Thaler, who has since been charged with assault, had criticized the Back Roads show and the cafe on social media before the alleged fight.
“The ABC Back Roads team was not present at the alleged incident at a cafe in Nimmitabel at the weekend,” the ABC said in a statement.
“The crew was in town filming an upcoming episode but were not present at the cafe in question.”
Bertie’s Café in Nimmitabel, where the alleged assault occurred on Sunday afternoon.
The picturesque town of Nimmitabel was chosen as a destination for the ABC Back Roads program
In a statement, a NSW Police spokesperson said officers attached to the Monaro Police District attended the Bombala St address around 2pm on Sunday following reports that a woman, aged 48, and a man, 51, had been attacked.
“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. a person without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault and remaining on enclosed grounds and not in prescribed premises without lawful excuse.”
Thaler posted on Facebook that he is innocent of the allegations.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Thaler for comment.
NSW Police confirmed Mr Thaler was granted conditional bail and will appear at Cooma Local Court on May 22.
