A Good Samaritan who intervened in a fight ended up with a nasty head wound after being robbed.

The victim, aged in his 50s, had to receive hospital treatment after the violent incident in Dorchester Road, Weymouth, early on Sunday evening.

A man was quizzed over the incident, which happened on the pavement outside flats at the St John's Church end of Dorchester Road.

He has since been charged with assault and robbery.

Residents told how they saw forensics officers at the scene and the pavement cordoned off as Dorset Police launched an investigation.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Dorset Police were called at 6.22pm on Sunday to reports of a robbery on Dorchester Road in Weymouth.

"It is alleged that a man and a woman, who were both known to each other, were involved in an altercation, when a member of the public intervened.

"The member of the public – a local man aged in his 50s – reportedly had jewellery stolen and sustained a cut to his head during the incident. He was taken to hospital for treatment."

The spokesman added: "A 22-year-old Weymouth man was arrested a short time later in Radipole Park Drive on suspicion of robbery, inflicting grievous bodily harm and assaulting a police officer and is currently assisting police with enquiries."

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service confirmed paramedics were called to an incident on Dorchester Road at 6.20pm on Sunday.

Residents of Dorchester Road told how they saw flashing blue lights as emergency services responded.

Steve Dennis said he was walking to Tesco when he saw emergency services at the scene.

He said: “There must have been two or three police cars and an ambulance when I first came out.

“I did wonder what was happening.”

He explained how parts of the pavement was cordoned off by police.

A resident who wished to remain anonymous said: “I looked out of my window and there were two or three police cars. I then saw a CSI looking van turn up. The pavement was cordoned off, it must have been around 6.50pm. I didn’t expect to see all those police cars."

Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he saw flashing blue lights from outside his home on Dorchester Road later in the evening.

He added: “We saw an ambulance going up and down the road.”

Another resident said: “I heard there was an incident. Apparently, the road was cordoned off."

Rev Tom Coopey of nearby St John’s Church said: “I am sorry to hear that this incident has taken place and I wish the person who has been injured a speedy recovery.”

In an update today, Dorset Police said: "The 22-year-old man who was arrested has been charged with assault and robbery and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court today."