A Virgin cruise crew member was marched off the ship and deported after allegedly sexually assaulting his girlfriend and coworker while docked in Italy. 

The incident allegedly unfolded on board the Valiant Lady ship while it was docked in the Port of Palermo on May 20, as a Peruvian woman, 26, claimed her boyfriend of three years attacked her. 

Italian police arrested the boyfriend, a 32-year-old man also from Peru, and he was reportedly placed on a return flight to the South American country, according to Palermo Today. 

The Italian outlet reported that the couple had been together for years and both worked on the cruise ship, but the man allegedly attempted to sexually assault his girlfriend after a night of heavy drinking. 

The cruise ship was docked in Italy for 10 days for scheduled maintenance at the time, and there were no passengers on board, officials said. 

According to local reports, the woman alleged that her boyfriend turned violent when they returned to their cabin, and accused him of groping her when they entered their room.

She alleged that he then pinned her down and attempted to sexually assault her, before she was able to escape their room and run for help. 

The boyfriend, who has not been identified, was arrested at the port by Maritime Border Police. 

During police interviews, the girlfriend reportedly showed marks on her arms and hands from where she had been allegedly attacked. 

The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was released, reports say. 

Following his arrest, the male crew member was suspended by Virgin Voyages and was subsequently fired. 

He was escorted off the Valiant Lady vessel and was put on a flight back to his native Peru, officials said. 

It is unclear if the man has been criminally charged following his deportation. The Daily Mail has contacted Virgin Voyages for comment. 

The Valiant Lady reportedly resumed its regular sailing operations on May 25, and began a six-night voyage from Rome to Barcelona.