Rowdy maybe, 'but we're not skinheads'

BY JOHN EDENS

Three friends from Dunedin who live in central Cromwell want to send a message to their neighbours: "We're not skinheads."

The Jollys Rd residents – mother-of-three Rachel Davies, 26, Nathan Fraser, 22, and Cody Cowie, 17 – are each facing charges including assault, disorderly behaviour and wilful damage after an alleged incident with neighbours on March 6.

It follows claims that skinhead wannabes or affiliates had moved into a Cromwell neighbourhood, claims police say have no basis.

One concerned resident previously told The Southland Times some younger men in Cromwell had tried to recruit White Pride movement members.

The Dunedin trio, who moved to Central Otago last July, yesterday told The Times they had no affiliation with skinhead groups or white supremacist organisations.

Miss Davies, who is charged with disorderly behaviour and assault, said there were two sides to every story.

The dispute with neighbours had "flared up" during an argument over "silly" behaviour, she said.

However, they wanted to publicly quash any rumours of skinhead gang involvement after "filthy looks" from other residents.

She admitted they sometimes played music loudly but they were most concerned that the wider community had mistakenly labelled the three as skinheads.

The friends were considering returning to live in Dunedin, she said.

Asked if he had any connections with gangs or skinhead groups, Mr Fraser said: "No way would we have anything to do with them."

He said he and Mr Cowie had shaved their heads because of the Central Otago summer weather.

"It's too hot up here to have hair, that's why we shaved our heads."

All three have received police bail, including a non-association condition with their neighbours and an order not to consume alcohol or drugs.

They are expected to appear before the Alexandra District Court next month.

Police were unavailable for comment yesterday.

- © Fairfax NZ News