Dunedin police are concerned others may have been assaulted by a group of teens who are alleged to have punched and stamped on a man's head during an unprovoked attack in central Dunedin on Friday night.
The 19-year-old student was walking alone on Albany St, in Dunedin, between 11pm and midnight when he was surrounded by a group of about 15 teenagers outside the University of Otago Library.
Detective Sergeant Chris Henderson said the group, who were unknown to the victim, accused him of throwing a bottle at them. When the victim denied he had any bottles, members of the group, all aged in their late teens, allegedly attacked him.
A bottle was smashed over his head and he was punched to the ground, where he was kicked and stamped on, Det Sgt Henderson said.
The group left the student lying on the ground, where he was found by friends a short time later.
They helped him walk to Dunedin Hospital's emergency department where he was treated for cuts and bruising and received stitches. He was admitted overnight for observation.
The man reported the incident to police when he was released from hospital.
Det Sgt Henderson said police investigations so far led them to believe other people might also have been attacked by a group in the North Dunedin area on Friday night or Saturday morning.
No complaints had yet been laid with police, but they would like to hear from those victims as well.
The student described one of his attackers as a male Maori or Polynesian with a short shaved haircut, an athletic build, and wearing a red T-shirt.
A second attacker was described as a solidly-built male with an afro hairstyle, dressed in black.
A third member of the group was described as a medium to heavy-build female with long dark hair, wearing jeans and a black cardigan.
Det Sgt Henderson said it was unusual in Dunedin for groups to attack individuals for no reason, but the attack did not appear to be part of a trend. Police did not know if the group was a part of any youth ‘‘crew'' - groups of loosely associated youths, usually with a group name.
Anyone who witnessed the assault or recognised the description of the alleged offenders should contact the police.
- A 27-year-old Dunedin man is in custody after an unrelated assault in Royal Tce later the same night. Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said two men were taken to hospital with head injuries after they were punched, kicked and stamped on about 2am on Saturday.
The assailant is alleged to have stamped on the first man's head after punching him to the ground. When the victim's friend went to assist, he was also knocked to the ground and kicked in the head and shoulders, Snr Sgt Benn said.
Both men were treated at Dunedin Hospital for cuts, bruising and swelling and received stitches. The alleged assailant was arrested shortly after and charged with assault with intent to injure.
He appeared before justices of the peace in the Dunedin District Court on Saturday morning and was remanded in custody to tomorrow.
