A Fareham man has been arrested after a woman was assaulted on a boat found stranded on a beach.

The small boat, named Sapphire, was found washed up on Bournemouth beach on Saturday afternoon, August 3, with police officers later seen searching it. 

A woman in her 50s was allegedly assaulted on board by a man known to her and had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Her injuries are not believed to be serious. 

Meanwhile, one witness said a man in his 60s had got off the boat and run away to the train station.

He was later arrested at his home address in Fareham on suspicion of assault.

STRANDED: Officers investigate an assaultSTRANDED: Officers investigate an assault (Image: Chris Guy)

Dorset Police’s spokesman said: “We received a report at 4.26pm on Saturday 3 August 2024 from lifeguards at Bournemouth beach reporting a disturbance on a boat. 

“Officers attended and a woman aged in her 50s was taken to hospital for a treatment to injuries that were not believed to be serious. 

“Following enquiries, a man aged in his 60s from Fareham in Hampshire was arrested on suspicion of assault and subsequently released on police bail.” 

HM Coastguard sent its team from Southbourne down to help the police.