Alleged assaults, vandalism at Vic Park skate competition

9/07/2012 5:23:27 a.m.

Les wrote:

This action is typical of the violence that is building in New Zealand these days and especially when there is an event or need for authority. The actions of the bully guy was not of any intelligence, just a thug even if the teenagers do disrepect every action of alot of adults these days. This was a low class event and an embarrassment to NZ. Looking at this and other issues like the Auckland drunks in the city and overseas tourists getting beaten up its a wonder anyone wants to come to NZ these days beside the scenery, I think the government need to tale a good look at the budget for the Police and make the country alot safer for all as the attitude has changed to the point that the only way to fix problems is to beat up your opponent who ever they are, Get real if you really want the country to get a good reputation... ? One of the reasons i left the Country I feel safer in the USA, sad as it is ..??? not like it used to be.

30/03/2012 12:46:50 p.m.

Aotearoan wrote:

I dont condone. But every situation is different. I'm wondering if any of you that say that's disgusting behavior have ever been in that situation. And at what stage you think using force to stop some kid driving into other younger kids should be used? If you say never then you believe that skating into young kids is okay until the other kid stops. If communication doesn't work what do you do? Answer that with an actual answer if you were actually this guy. And don't say something pathetic ... Like .. Go and get the security? Because that shows that your an idiot that waits for someone to come along and do something. Last thing.. If it were my son!!! Statements I'm the same... Crazy enough, but my son would get in trouble And as a dad I must have failed if my son is such a dick to be in an area where a competition is running and kids of 6year olds are competing, and if my kid was told by an adult supervising the event to stop .. Not once but several times... Then as a dad of a son with no respect then I should be doing some reflection. And lastly if this guy was looking after my kid in a competition I pay respect that he would look after my kid as I would look after him and stop by any means someone from hurting him. People that don't condone that behavior and then say ..if that were my son...!!! Pathetic think before you blog comments you really are just muppets. If your 6 year old son or daughter was hurt in this competition by a teenager you would be going nuts at craig and asking him why didnt he stop the teenager from hurting your kid, and in reply what would you expect.. I asked him to stop so many times but he didnt stop. !! You would be condoning force then.. and blaming craig for not protecting your kid.. Its just that you guys are really Fickle. you really are, In your minds, your only justified if something bad happens to do something, not stop it before someone gets really hurt by using force. Fickle

29/03/2012 6:01:38 p.m.

Andrew Harris wrote:

@ Rob M, sorry are you a legally qualified barrister or police officer to determine what can be quantified as assault? Lets establish what assault is. If you unlawfully place your hand on another without their express consent that can be deemed as assault. Chris has this assertion correct. On this occasion, the offender committed to clear assaults on two individuals. Lets also establish that the event had no lawful tight to restrict public access. The offender charged a minor followed by what could be deemed as a brachial shock or attack to the thorax on the second victim. Wether the offender lost their cool or not it is evident that he committed two counts of common assault. What I find offensive is the offenders clear selection of victim targeting. He is clearly an arrogant bully with a misguided sense of authority. The police are 100% correct and the CPS will be successful. I would also recommend that indeed if this offender was working as 'security' implied or not for the vent organizer that they are also charged as being vicariously liable. The organizer made no effort to restrain this offender or ask them to leave. The offenders presence at the event after the assault could be deemed willful and reckless endangerment a very serious criminal charge. The offender should be ashamed of themselves as it was an attack on kids. As a former commissioned royal marine of the 40th, I would not have stood by and let this offender assault minors.

28/03/2012 10:28:25 p.m.

Big Ted wrote:

Skaters attitudes are often disrespectful.. From experience, they're often smart alecs with no respect for anyone or property. It's time someone put these guys in place.. Trouble is, we live in a pc world where discipline and respect for elders is replaced by freedom and rights amongst other nonsense. Not condoning violence, but it's understandable when some folks are told many times before frustration kicks in.

28/03/2012 4:24:32 p.m.

Bob wrote:

O.K. so I get that teens are jerks... But your supposed to be a Man! Teens will always push you but it is not a reasonable response to drop to their level. If you do, what example do you set and how do you expect them to become men themselves.

28/03/2012 2:07:29 p.m.

Rob M wrote:

That was not assult in any way shape or form. He gave the guy a decent shove and nothing more. cries of bullying and assult are just trying to over dramatise the situation. Despite numerous requests the teenager continued to endanger the safety of the young kids competing. If one of the younger kids had collided with the teenager and hurt himself then what would everyone be ranting about. The english gentleman who tried to make a big issue of it seems to be the one with the problem, I suspect the there may be a bit of "history" between the two of them.

27/03/2012 11:25:30 p.m.

Chris wrote:

Knowing what teenagers can be like, I am not in the slightest bit suprised that this guy lost his cool. If he was indeed involved in the events security, and he had already made numerous requests for the older kids to get out of the way (which were no doubt greeted with sneering contempt), then what was he supposed to do? Even leading the kid away by the arm would have technically qualified as assault!

I'm not condoning violence against anyone, but you need to have the whole story before you can pass judgement (not just a few seconds footage from a mobile phone). Personally I think his biggest mistake was thinking that he could reason with youths at a skate park, or that they would show even a shred of respect for an event that didn't involve them. If its well mannered, compliant kids he's after, he might be better off helping out at the chess club or debating society.

27/03/2012 7:59:28 p.m.

MaNdA wrote:

there is always 2 sides to every story but i dont get how ppl think its ok for a grown man to b hitting some1 half his size!!! and it wasnt just that when some1 tried to stick up 4 the kids he got attacked to what the hells up wif that!! some security guard! might need a bit more training next time hire the professionals they r trained to deal with that stuff!!!

27/03/2012 6:53:52 p.m.

Meg wrote:

I can totally see where he was coming from. The Youth of today are rude, arrogant, confrontational, and have no respect for anyone, even those who are doing something nice for the community. I deal with teenagers every day as a secondary teacher and although I don't think his reaction was the right one and was a bit extreme, I do believe that the teenagers were antagonizing him to get a rise out of him. The fact that they came back later to escalate the situation with someone else after the event was over, proves they were out to cause trouble. Had they been respectful and listened to Craig when he asked them to stop or to move, then I believe that this incident would not have happened. Youth nowadays get away with 'murder' and it's always everyone else's fault not theirs even when they instigate it by aggravating the situation with their behavior. The teenagers should man up and take some of the blame for what happened, because they were not being responsible or respectful. I mean just look at what they (teenagers in general) did to the skate park with their graffiti. Need I say more.

27/03/2012 1:38:36 p.m.

Nic wrote:

As a Skater and a Kid. Only 18. So technicly im still a kid. Yes the skater got what he deserved. But really. He could have handled it a little better. As for the guy at the end. He designed the f**king park have a little respect for a guy that made it all possible in the first place as*tards. God damn all adults these days are children. Cant raise your kids right. The younger generation has no respect for you because there is nothing to respect in the first place. Im only 18. I had awesome parents. I was taught values and morals. Maybe some of the adults that live in this country need to grow up instead. Idiots.