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<DIV>Location: Matauri Bay, Far Nor North<BR>District: Northland<BR><BR>Media
Release<BR><BR>Sole charge police officer at Kaeo attacked while arresting a
male at Matauri <BR>Bay that was assaulting another male. Incident
took place at 2.30 am on 26 <BR>December 2010.<BR><BR>Police called to a
report of fighting/disorder at Matauri Bay. Officer <BR>arrived and
found people on the road that had obviously been consuming <BR>alcohol and
acting in a disorderly manner.<BR><BR>The officer arrested a 19 year old male
who was assaulting another male and, <BR>as he struggled with his
offender, the officer was set upon by 2 other males.<BR><BR>One of those males
obtained a police baton and struck the officer across the <BR>head,
causing a large cut to his head. The arrested male and the other two
<BR>males then punched the officer about the head and body, causing a cut
above <BR>his left eye and bruising and swelling to his face. A
briefcase was stolen <BR>from the patrol vehicle while the attack took
place.<BR><BR>The officer required medical treatment and received stitches to
his head. He <BR>is recovering at home.<BR><BR>To date police have
arrested a 17 year old male with wounding with intent to <BR>do GBH, and a
19 year old male with assault with intent to injure and <BR>aggravated
assault. Both men had consumed considerable amounts of alcohol on
<BR>the night.<BR><BR>Police enquiries are continuing to establish the identity
of the 3rd male who <BR>took part in the attack and recover the
briefcase. Anyone with information <BR>should contact the Kerikeri
Police Station.<BR><BR>Peter ROBINSON<BR>Senior
Sergeant<BR>KERIKERI<BR><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>