The teenagers accused of assaulting an off-duty policeman appeared in court this morning.
The nine youngsters, aged between 14 and 18, appeared in the Pukekohe Youth Court charged with assaulting 39-year-old John Connolly.
Mr Connolly was seriously injured when he stepped in to break up a fight between youths outside his house in Elizabeth St, Tuakau on Friday afternoon.
Mr Connolly is currently in Middlemore Hospital with a fractured skull, broken jaw and teeth, collapsed lung and a fractured ankle.
Judge Semi Epati granted bail to five of the accused – all of which have interim name suppression.
Around 40 family members yelled support to the teenagers during court this morning.
Some shouted goodbyes when the teens were led away, some of the youngsters waved from the dock.
Papakura area commander inspector Gary Hill said police were looking at more serious charges, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, Franklin County News reported.
The nine teenagers include a 16-year-old girl and her 18-year-old brother, three 14-year-old boys and four 15-year-olds.
Police are still interviewing witnesses and are looking for at least three others who are suspected to have been involved in the attack.
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