Cop's hunt attackers

BY DAVID TAURANGA

Eight young people alleged to have taken part in a mob attack on a Papakura police officer were taken into custody during an early-morning blitz in Tuakau yesterday.

The youths all appeared in the Pukekohe District Court later in the day.

Police believe 12 teenagers – some of them Tuakau College students – took part in last Friday’s attack which left constable John Connolly in Middlemore Hospital with severe injuries.

Yesterday’s blitz saw a strong police presence in the small township with the mobile police station parked in the town centre and officers posted outside the college.

Police are still looking for another four people in connection with the attack.

Counties Manukau police acting area inspector Gary Hill says the eight young people were taken to the Papakura and Pukekohe police stations for interviewing.

"Further inquiries will be carried out over the next couple of days to locate them."

Police are looking to lay charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, Mr Hill says.

Originally from England, Mr Connolly has worked for the New Zealand police in Papakura for around five years.

The 39-year-old was off duty on Friday afternoon when he came across a large group of teenagers gathered opposite his house on Elizabeth St for a fight between two girls.

Mr Connolly stepped in to break up the fight and he was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head.

The attack left him with a fractured skull, multiple facial fractures, collapsed lung, broken jaw and a broken ankle.

His injuries were so severe he had to be placed in an induced coma. But Mr Hill says he has regained consciousness and is now on the mend.

"John was in surgery all day Monday but he’s in good spirits and eager to get himself fully fit.

"The attack hasn’t deterred him at all – he’s looking forward to getting back into the job.

"He said he was frustrated he just went to help someone and that was what caused the attack."

Mr Hill says he wasn’t surprised Mr Connolly intervened to break up the fight while off duty because he has a high work ethic and is a "very good officer".

He also praised the efforts of Papakura CIB officers, under detective senior sergeant Albie Alexander, who he said had done a fantastic job.

"They’ve worked tirelessly and are now starting to piece things together and the results are starting to come," Mr Hill says.

A special assembly at Tuakau College on Monday updated students and offered counselling to any who witnessed the attack.

Principal Chris Betty says the school is working hard to make sure students were being looked after and that parents’ concerns were being addressed.

Mr Betty says it was the first such incident involving the school since he started his teaching career there in 1983.

"I told students at the assembly that Tuakau is a safe school but that we’ll step things up while things are a bit volatile.

"For example, staff on duty will make sure students get home safely when they walk down the street, things like that."

Mr Betty says while he’s disappointed Tuakau College students were involved in the attack he’s proud of those who stepped in at their own risk to help Mr Connolly.

Once police have concluded their investigation the college will carry out its own inquiry and disciplinary action.

The students involved in the attack needed to be held accountable and had many questions to answer, he says.

"Once I have determined the facts then I will determine what punishment is warranted.

"Until such a time we have to go about our business of teaching and learning," Mr Betty says.

"Tuakau College is treating this attack extremely seriously.

"But the police need to finish their investigation first and the important thing is not to jeopardise it."

Anyone with information about the attack can contact police on 295-0200 or call the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800-555-111.

- © Fairfax NZ News