Police are asking for help from the public as it investigates a “prolonged” series of assaults on several victims in a Gisborne bar earlier this month.
Detective Sergeant Eric Hunter, from Gisborne criminal investigation branch said three victims were allegedly assaulted by eight men at a local bar around midnight on August 2.
“The incidents involved prolonged assaults on the victims who were kicked, punched, stomped on and hit with weapons.”
Hunter said the victims suffered moderate injuries, “including a broken finger, lacerations, abrasions with one also being knocked unconscious for a significant period of time during the assaults”.
Hunter said police were aware of ” a lot of people who filmed the incident on their cell phones”.
An online portal has been set up, and anyone with footage is encouraged to upload their footage to the investigation team, “particularly like any footage or sightings on between 11.50pm on August 2 and 12.30am on August 3”.
“Alternatively, anyone with information to assist police in holding these offenders to account should make contact.
“Please contact our 105 phone service quoting the file number 240803/0149.”
Gang-related violence under police scrutiny
Police said it was the second incident involving serious violence in a public setting by gang members within the Gisborne and Wairoa area in the last month.
“Investigators are working… both cases to hold those gang members involved to account,” Hunter said.
Three Mongrel Mob gang members aged 21, 28 and 43, alongside a 37-year-old associate have been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
They will appear in the Gisborne District Court on August 26.
