Police are praising the actions of bystanders who stepped in to prevent a man they say was assaulting his elderly mother in a Whangarei carpark.
Northland police spokes-woman Sarah Kennett said the woman, aged 74, was in the carpark of the New World Regent supermarket about 6pm on Wednesday whenher son allegedly started to assault her.
Mrs Kennett alleged the son was intoxicated and had demanded money from his mother to buy more alcohol.
She said the mother became concerned about her son's aggression and tried to leave the car, but the man allegedly "violently" grabbed her and pulled her back into the vehicle. The man then allegedly threatened to kill his mother and she started screaming.
Mrs Kennett said members of the public in the carpark heard the woman screaming and went to her aid to prevent further violence, forcing the son to leave the carpark. Police were also called.
A man in his late 40s was later arrested and charged with two counts of assaulting female, threatening to kill, kidnapping and contravening a protection order. He was due to appear in the Whangarei District Court on the charges this week.
Mrs Kennett said people should assess a violent situation before intervening.
