Constable Richie Ellwood, of Dunedin, speaks to two
witnesses after a confrontation in the Octagon yesterday
afternoon. One of the alleged offenders sits nearby. Photo
by Stephen Jaquiery.
Police have charged four people with assault after a
"brutal" attack in Dunedin yesterday, during which one teenager
was bashed with a skateboard and another with a hammer.
Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken, of Dunedin, said the incident
happened about 4pm in the upper Octagon.
Witnesses, who declined to be named, said a 16-year-old male
tried to "pick a fight" with a group of about 12 teenagers,
and threatened them with two hammers.
"He kept saying he wanted to fight them."
One of the group threw a skateboard at the hammer-wielding
youth and ran.
The youth gave chase and hit him on the back with one of the
hammers, witnesses said.
Friends of the victim then "swarmed" on the 16-year-old "and
started kicking and punching him on the ground.
"It was quite brutal."
Snr Sgt Aitken said no-one was seriously injured.
Three teens, aged 15, 17 and 18, were charged with assault
for hitting the 16-year-old with a skateboard.
The 16-year-old was also arrested and charged with assault
and carrying an offensive weapon (two hammers), Snr Sgt
Aitken said.
"Police will not tolerate loutish behaviour in central city
areas where other members of the public could be harmed," Snr
Sgt Aitken said.
The three youths are due to appear in the Youth Court on
Friday and the 18-year-old in the Dunedin District Court on
Friday.
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