By Angela Beswick & Jono Hutchison
Police have this afternoon arrested two more teenagers following the attack on off-duty police officer John Connolly in Tuakau last month.
The two people appeared alongside the 11 others who had already been charged, at Pukekohe Youth Court today.
The charges were upgraded from assault to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
All 13 accused are between the ages of 14 and 19 and will reappear in the youth court later this month.
Mr Connolly, 39, was left unconscious and in critical condition
after trying to break up a fight between a group of youngsters on
Elizabeth St. Papakura area commander, Inspector Gary Hill said there were fears the officer would die as he
was taken to hospital.
He received a fractured skull, broken jaw, several broken bones in
his face, missing teeth, a broken ankle, a collapsed lung and bruises
following the incident.
The first nine arrests were made after police executed search warrants at 10 south Auckland homes. Of those initially arrested, seven were from Tuakau and a brother and sister were from Papakura.
A community meeting was held in the Tuakau town hall last night to address the issue of youth violence, with angry residents saying it is time parents got in and “got their kids under control”.
Franklin District Mayor, Mark Ball, told 3 News the community has had enough.
“They’ve had an absolute guts-full of the behaviours that have been exhibited over recent weeks and months.”
One Tuakau resident told 3 News there was a significant problem with youth violence in the area.
She said the police do an excellent job – but are extremely under-resourced.
Police have reassured locals there is a plan to boost officer numbers.
“It will be delivered and those staff will form a six-person team at the Tuakau area,” Mr Hill said.
Mr Connolly is now out of hospital and recovering at home, however it is not known how long until he will be able to return to work.
3 News