The partner of a man who was the subject of a vicious attack
outside an Auckland bar has expressed her frustrations as the
alleged attackers appeared in court.
Byryn Neilson was on life support for 10 days after the
attack outside Jet Bar on Wyndham Street at 3.45am on
December 30.
As he lay on the ground, his head bleeding heavily, the group
continued the attack.
Penita Tavita Lesa, 27, appeared at Auckland District Court
yesterday charged with injuring with intent and causing
grievous bodily harm. He was remanded on bail to reappear on
January 31.
Eti Naseri, a 28-year-old bouncer, appeared in the same court
today charged with attempting to pervert the cause of
justice.
According to police charge sheets Naseri "encouraged an
accused to change his appearance, leave the country and
supply a fabricated story to police".
He is due to reappear on February 1.
On Mr Neilson's Facebook page, his partner Aki Cooper wrote
today: "Frustrated, mad, confused, annoyed, lost!!! There
aint a single word in the dictionary that can begin to
explain how i feel!!"
Police said Mr Neilson was now off life support in Auckland
City Hospital and making slow progress.
"Be strong my baby!! Its all part of your healing!! A long
recovery process but thats ok," Ms Cooper wrote.
"No mater how long it takes,or how many machines your on,
your still as gorgeous as ever and will forever hold my
heart!!
"Love you my heart, my world, our everything..."
CCTV footage of witnesses on the footpath outside the bar at
the time of the assault has been released by police in an
effort to get witnesses.
"This was a very serious incident where one man was set upon
by others and it could well have been fatal - possibly still
could - so we want to hear from anyone who can assist us with
details about how the incident unfolded," said detective
sergeant Phil Cox.
"It may be that some of those witnesses are holidaying out of
town, but we're uploading footage of some of them onto our
district Facebook page so they can view it wherever they are
and contact us with their details and any information they
may have."
Anyone with information can email tcu.ak.central@police.govt.nz
or call (09) 302 6656. Calls can be made anonymously to
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
- By Brendan Manning of APNZ
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