By Angela Beswick
As nine teenagers appeared in court this morning, charged with the assault of an off-duty police officer, those investigating the incident say they have identified all the main players involved.
Ten people – all aged between 14 and 18 - appeared in Pukekohe Youth Court facing a holding charge of assault, following the attack on John Connolly in Tuakau last Friday.
The 39-year-old was left unconscious and in a critical condition with a fractured skull, broken jaw, broken bones in his face, a collapsed lung, and a broken ankle after he tried to stop a fight between a group of youngsters on Elizabeth St.
He is currently in Middlemore Hospital.
Judge Semi Epati granted bail to five of the accused – all of whom have interim name suppression.
The accused include a 16-year-old girl and her 18-year-old brother, three 14-year-old boys and four 15-year-old girls.
Around 40 members gathered in the public gallery during the group’s court appearance this morning, yelling support to the teens. Some of the youngsters waved from the dock, while others stared straight ahead. Family members shouted goodbye as the group was led away.
One mother shouted to her son not to cause any trouble, Franklin County News reported.
In addition to those facing assault charges, Papakura area commander Inspector Gary Hill, said police had also spoken to two 13-year-olds in relation to the attack. They have been referred to the police youth aid section.
The arrests were made after police executed search warrants at 10 homes in south Auckland yesterday. Of the nine, seven are from Tuakau and the brother and sister are from Papakura.
The investigation is ongoing, however Mr Hill says police are “not looking for any others”.
“There may be one or two arrests, but at this stage the main players have been located.”
Yesterday Mr Hill said Mr Connolly was in good spirits, but faces a long road to recovery.
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