The serious assault of a 20-year-old Dunedin man by a group
of youths is being investigated by Dunedin police.
The 20-year-old was allegedly attacked by four or five males
believed to be in their mid-teens outside the main gates of
the Dunedin Botanic Garden about 3.20am on Friday.
He was knocked unconscious, bled "profusely" from a facial
laceration and also suffered bumps, swelling and soreness to
his body, Sergeant Chris George said.
The man was taken by ambulance to Dunedin Hospital where he
was treated and discharged.
Sgt George said one of the youths was believed to be named
Joshua.
"The victim heard one of the attackers using that name," he
said.
It appeared the assault was unprovoked.
There was "a bit of a verbal exchange" between the man and
the youths, although they were not known to each other, Sgt
George said.
Before the attack, the youths had been sitting on park bench
seats outside the garden gates, near the intersection of
North and Opoho Rds.
Sgt George was seeking information about the offenders, as
well as a potential witness.
He said a female Caucasian with blonde hair was seen driving
a red car at the scene about the time of the attack. She may
have known the youths.
Anyone with information about the attack was asked to contact
Dunedin police.
rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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