Methuen Officer Charged In Bachelorette Bar Brawl In Salisbury

NEWBURYPORT (CBS) - A Methuen police officer charged in a weekend bar fight was released Tuesday on a promise to return to court.

Thirty-eight-year-old Shawn Tardif pleaded not guilty in Newburyport District Court to charges of assault and battery, and wanton destruction of property over $250.

He's accused of attacking a woman Saturday night during a fight at the Surf Side 5 Bar in Salisbury.

Police say the brawl started between two groups of women, one of which was a bachelorette party.

One of the groups was accusing the other of flirting with their husbands.

Tardif claims the alleged victim attacked his wife first and he reacted in defense, but witnesses say Tardif was in a rage.

The police report detailed a wild scene with Tardif allegedly grabbing a woman by the neck then dragging her by her hair across the floor. The victim showed responding officers a clump of her hair.

Witnesses say it took two security officers to pull Tardif off the victim.

Tardif is charged with destruction of property because during the fight he allegedly knocked over some of the DJ's equipment.

The judge ordered him to stay away from alcohol and the alleged victim.