©Allied MediaTwo of the first-year students who were victims in a unprovoked assault walk through the Dunedin Botanic Garden near where it happened. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery A trio of first-year University of Otago students are shaken after a “horrific” unprovoked pack attack by a group of youths — with one so frightened she left town. The victims are speaking out because they fear their alleged assailants will face no consequences due to their age. The three women were walking into town about 11pm on Friday when a car swerved at them before turning around and heading back towards them. A group of about four girls got out of the vehicle and began attacking the women. “My hair was being pulled and I tried to run away,” one victim said. “I ended up on my back. “Then the girl was kicking me in the stomach, punching me, kicking me. “It was horrific. “I’ve never cried so much in my life.” Two of the victims blacked out during the assault, which they think lasted about five minutes. “I have lived here my whole life and I’ve never heard of this sort of stuff happening,” the woman said. They had never met the people in the car, and the attack was unprovoked. [Missing Credit]A victim's hand is covered in blood after she and friends were attacked. Photo: Supplied They reported the incident to police, but were disappointed about what could be done. “Because they’re under 16, most of the girls … are potentially going to have no consequences, which we think is absolutely horrendous.” After the ambush, the victim went to the hospital, where staff were concerned about potential internal bleeding. Her friend’s eye got scratched in the attack, and she required scans. The third student had a broken nose which was “so swollen she has to wait before she can get it reset”. One of the women was so shaken by the attack, she left town. All three were diagnosed with concussion and were bruised after the attack. A police spokesperson said officers responded to reports that a group had been assaulted in Opoho Rd about 11.10pm on Friday. The alleged offenders fled before police arrived, but the suspected vehicle was seen and stopped by police in Andersons Bay Rd in the early hours of Saturday morning. “The occupants of the vehicle have been spoken to and inquiries into this incident are ongoing,” the spokesperson said. [Missing Credit]The carload of the alleged offenders fleeing the scene. Photo: Supplied One victim said she understood this was not the first time the group of youths had caused trouble. “Police said this is common behaviour for them and they’re known to the police. “They knew straight away who it was.” The victims were concerned about the limited outcomes available through the Youth Court and wanted a law change so their alleged assailants could be held to account. “They’re just getting away with doing these sorts of things,” one said. “They should have some consequences.” The victims had heard one of the alleged offenders was over 18 and could face charges. felicity.dear@odt.co.nz
