Snowboarder Peter Wicks has been charged with cruelty to animals after he allegedly assaulted staff members.

The 27-year-old was arrested at a Melbourne suburb after allegedly assaulting two of his employees in the store’s head shop on Thursday morning.

He was charged with assaulting a person and two counts of wounding with intent.

Mr Wicks, who also owns Snowboard King, was released on bail to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

Police said they were called to the Snowboard Shop in the Glenelg suburb at about 7.30am on Thursday following reports that Mr Wicks was assaulting two employees.

The victim said Mr Wick had hit her in the face, arm and shoulder, and she fell on to the floor.

He said he was able to grab her arm and she got back up and told him to leave.

Mr Nisbet said the staff member who had been hit had been treated for a “minor injury”.

“He is a very talented young man,” she said.

“He has been doing his apprenticeship for a number of years, and we know he has some training in snowboarding.”

We are hoping he will come back to us and we will be able to get him back on the mountain.

“The victim’s mother said she was still in shock.”

The way he was treating his staff, he has no conscience,” she told the ABC.”

It is appalling.

It is just a disgrace.

“There is nothing that he could do to hurt anyone.

I am very worried for the staff.”

Police said Mr Nisbit said she believed Mr Wickers had been at the shop “for a while”.

“I am very shocked,” she added.

“I do not think that there is a way that he can get away with this.”

Police confirmed they received a call from the victim’s employer who said he would contact the Snowboardshop owner.

“At this time we have contacted the Snow Boardshop and spoken to the victim who we are satisfied that he has made a full and voluntary statement,” a spokeswoman for Victoria Police said.

A SnowboardShop spokesman said Mr Sills had been suspended from his position and the shop would “work closely with Victoria Police” to investigate the incident.

“This was a very serious and difficult incident involving two staff members and a customer,” he said.

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