An Oamaru police officer was hospitalised last night after
being kicked on the ground by a group of men in what police
called "an appalling and unprovoked gang-like attack."
Six men have been arrested in relation to the
incident, which happened on Thames Highway, just north of
Stirling St, about 8.30pm.
Detective Sergeant Mike Ryder said the officer stopped a car,
believed to have had six occupants, and started to process
the driver for drink-driving.
The driver of the vehicle failed the breath screening test
and was required to accompany the constable for more testing.
The driver refused to go with the constable and charged at
him with raised fists. The officer used pepper spray to stop
this attack but the driver then charged at him again.
"At this stage the driver's five passengers approached the
constable, assaulting him causing him to fall to the ground
where he was kicked by the group on a number of occasions,"
Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy said.
The constable received injuries to his face, elbow and knee.
He was hospitalised overnight for observations.
"This unprovoked and gang-like attack upon the constable is
both disgusting and appalling," Snr Sgt McCoy said.
The men were from Oamaru and the charges they face were not
yet known.
Police were appealing for witnesses.
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