Watts charged with assaulting man, 73

Former rugby league player Anthony Watts has been charged with assaulting and intimidating an elderly man on the NSW far north coast.

The 30-year-old was arrested on Thursday night after a 73-year-old man reported being threatened and assaulted at a South Murwillumbah business by a man who drove off in a Holden Monaro.

Police spotted the car just over two hours later on the Tweed Valley Way at Murwillumbah, but Watts allegedly failed to stop.

Officers gave chase but called off the pursuit a short time later for safety reasons.

The former North Queensland Cowboys player was later arrested just before 8pm and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he was charged with assault, intimidation, malicious damage and dangerous driving.

Watts was due to appear in the Byron Bay Local Court on Friday.