Two Canadians, Tyler Newcombe and Jeremy Smith, were detained by Nanshan police Saturday for assaulting a guard in the residential estate where they used to live, the police said yesterday.

Newcombe, 23, and his friend Smith, 22, were stopped by the guard as they were moving out of their rented apartment in Jiajiahaoyuan, Houhai, Nanshan District at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The guard, surnamed Xiao, insisted Newcombe present him a note signed by their landlord according to management rules of the housing estate. Tenants who are moving out before the expiry of the rental agreement must obtain written consent from the landlord, the guard explained to him.

Newcombe said he had to catch a flight, and therefore was in a hurry. While he was arguing with the guard, Smith tried to force the gate open.

When the guard tried to stop him, Smith threw some money at Xiao's face. The two Canadians then assaulted Xiao with Smith breaking the guard's nose. The three were separated by others and sent to a nearby police station.

According to letters of disciplinary penalty issued by Nanshan police Saturday, Smith will be detained for six days and fined 200 yuan (US$25) and Newcombe will be detained for three days. The two were working as English teachers in the city before they were detained, the police said.

Editor: Yan