Melbourne woman 'bashed by police' during roadside altercation

A Melbourne woman claims she is the victim of police brutality after a violent roadside altercation.

Victoria Police insists Elisha Sherwood, 34, hurt herself while resisting arrest but she says they bashed and abused her for half an hour.

Battered and bruised, the Frankston woman claims she suffered these injuries at the hands of police after being pulled over in the early hours of Friday morning.

“They proceeded to say they were going to search the car for weapons,” she told 7 News.

“I queried this and was basically tackled to the ground and my face was smashed into the ground and I was handcuffed."

“They were saying I was spitting at them but I was actually choking on my own blood,” Ms Sherwood said.

In response, Victoria Police said she was treated for minor injuries after injuring herself while resisting arrest.

Police say the pair was aggressive and had to be restrained in an incident where police say three arresting officers had to be treated for minor injuries.

But Ms Sherwood and partner Daniel French dispute that version of events.

“I only became aggressive after they started beating me,” Ms Sherwood said.

“If they’re going to charge me for assault, I'd like to see their injuries."

Police charged Ms Sherwood with nine offences including resisting, hindering and assaulting police, assault by kicking and aggravated assault.

The couple is hoping locals who saw what happened will come forward to back their version of events and are planning to commence legal action this week.