Charges laid after Brisbane couple 'attacked over cigarettes'

A man and his nephew have been charged and released on bail following an attack on a husband and wife in Fortitude Valley overnight.

Police allege a 43-year-old man and his 17-year-old nephew were driving a white ute along Ballow Street when they became involved in a verbal argument with a couple waiting for a bus.

It is alleged the two men demanded cigarettes before the pair got out of the car and kicked 46-year-old Kevin Hutchins to the ground.

When 47-year-old Annette Hutchins threw herself on top of her husband to protect him, she was also allegedly assaulted by the men.

"I was telling them 'just go, you've got your smokes, leave us alone, you've got your smokes, just leaves us alone' and they didn't stop," she said.

The couple were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to the Royal Brisbane Hospital for further treatment.

The two men from Morningside are accused of stealing property from the woman's handbag before fleeing the scene, but they were arrested a short time later.

Both men were charged with assault and robbery, while the 43-year-old man has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

The pair were released on bail today, and while the 43-year-old said he was "deeply sorry" outside court, his co-accused said he "didn't care".

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge of driving under the influence, but the pair will return to court for the assault charges in four weeks.