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Hugh Hartshorne arrested: Butcher Graham Triffitt speaks out after alleged assault by photographer

A respected photographer - who has worked across Australia and the US, including with top movie stars - has been arrested after allegedly attacking a butcher on the South Coast over what police say was a “trivial” matter.

Graham Triffet was allegedly attacked at Culburra Butchery.
Graham Triffet was allegedly attacked at Culburra Butchery.

A respected photographer has been charged with the alleged assault of a butcher on the NSW South Coast, which police believe was spurred on by a parking dispute.

Hugh Hartshorne, 44, will front court on charges of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police will allege Hartshorne, of Culburra Beach, assaulted Graham Triffitt, 66, inside his butchery, on Prince Edward St on Tuesday.

Mr Triffitt was left with broken teeth and cuts to his face, after police allege he was attacked with a meat hook and piece of wood inside the store.

“I’m feeling as well as I can be. A few stitches, a few broken teeth,” Mr Triffitt said to The South Coast News.

Graham Triffitt, Culburra butcher, victim of alleged attack.
Graham Triffitt, Culburra butcher, victim of alleged attack.

Two passers-by came to Mr Triffitt’s aid. A customer also entered the building and Mr Triffitt asked them to call the police, he said.

“I asked the customer to call the police, which he did,” he said.

Mr Triffitt was taken to Shoalhaven Hospital for treatment. He required stitches to the gash near his eye and will need some “dental work”.

Graham Triffitt says he was allegedly attacked with a piece of wood and a hook from his shop.
Graham Triffitt says he was allegedly attacked with a piece of wood and a hook from his shop.
Hugh Hartshorne. Picture: Instragram
Hugh Hartshorne. Picture: Instragram

Butcher shop colleague Colleen Franklin, who was not there at the time of the alleged assault, described her boss as a “well-liked man”.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him,” she said from behind the counter.

South Coast Police District Inspector Ray Stynes told reporters police will allege the attack was over a dispute about parking.

“It‘s trivial, and it doesn’t require that kind of alleged action,” Insp Stynes said.

“Mediation is available and police are happy to assist with that.”

Hartshorne started his career as a photojournalist in Adelaide. He’s known for his work on film sets, including the movie Candy starring the late Heath Ledger and Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush, who he taken portraits of.

Hartshorne then worked in New York and the USA for 15 years before returning to the South Coast.

Hartshorne was granted conditional bail to appear before Nowra Local Court on Friday.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/thesouthcoastnews/hugh-hartshorne-arrested-butcher-graham-triffitt-speaks-out-after-alleged-assault-by-photographer/news-story/63ce005a961b06ea786208cf6a36211b