Ronnie Wood 'choked' his girlfriend

Ronnie Wood allegedly "choked" his girlfriend during a blazing public argument.

The Rolling Stones guitarist was arrested on suspicion of assault on Wednesday night (02.12.09) and allegedly dragged 20-year-old Russian cocktail waitress Ekaterina Ivanova by her neck during a drunken row in the street which spanned 30 minutes.

A police source said: "Ekaterina was very distressed and had cuts on her knees from where it seemed she had been dragged along the street. But she was insistent she didn't want police involved. Despite her refusal, witnesses allege this was a potentially assault and he may face charges. We're looking at allegations that at one point he had her by the scruff of her neck and her collar was so tight she seemed to be choking."

At one stage, the angry 62-year-old rocker had the young beauty pinned to the ground.

Celine Dixon, 20, and her boyfriend Phillip Legge, 30 - who live by Claygate High Street, Esher, where the incident took place - were forced to intervene when they heard the red-headed beauty making "choking sounds" from the road.

Celine told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "We heard a woman screaming, then saw a man pinning her to the ground. He was shouting at her then we heard choking sounds so my boyfriend rushed out to help. When he got outside he realised it was Ronnie and Ekaterina."

Ronnie is believed to have left after being confronted by Phillip.

He said: "I heard her say, 'Ouch, stop it'.

He added to the Daily Star: "He was yelling, 'You are a f***ing b*****d,' and then 'you are a f***ing w***er' and it was really loud."

"She was in a terrible state. Her tights were ripped and there were grazes all over her legs."

Ekaterina told the couple the row began after they had been out for dinner at The Bengal Lancer restaurant near their house in Esher, Surrey.

It is believed the row kicked off when Ronnie – who had been allegedly drinking whisky and vodka – got angry that Ekaterina wanted to stay out rather than go back to their home.

Ronnie was arrested at his rented home and spent the night in police custody at Staines Police Station. He was freed yesterday (03.12.09) on police bail pending further inquiries.