A 20-year-old Dunedin man is recovering from serious facial injuries after an incident near the Octagon. A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection.
Youth Services Sergeant Kevin Davidson said the male teenager was being dealt with through a family group conference which involved the victim.
''It's a restorative justice system,'' Sgt Davidson said.
The assault occurred about 1am on November 24, when the 20-year-old man allegedly became involved in a verbal altercation with teenagers in a group.
He was allegedly punched by the 16-year-old and fell to the ground, sustaining further injury.
The victim was taken to Dunedin Hospital with broken bones and had metal plates inserted in his face.
All identifying details about the 16-year-old were suppressed due to his age.
It was not known whether the incident was related to a similar assault on a 20-year-old by a group of teenagers which occurred outside the main gates of the Dunedin Botanic Garden about 3.20am on November 23.
In that case, which police continued to investigate, the victim was knocked unconscious and bled profusely from a facial laceration.
