‘Head Hunters’ gang beat own member

Press, 22 August 1978, Page 2

‘Head Hunters’ gang beat own member

PA Auckland A “Head Hunters” gang member has been viciously assaulted by members of his own gang after revealing information to the police on earlier gang violence, according to the Auckland police. Richard Moses Davis, aged 24. was in Middlemore Hospital yesterday with a

broken jaw, fractured ribs, extensive lacerations and bruising, and an injured hand. The assault occurred on Thursday night at a house in Ellerslie but the police did not hear of the incident until Friday night when the father of one of Mr Davis’s friend contacted the police. It is believed that Mr Davis was taken from an

address in New Lynn to Ellerslie, where he was allegedly set upon with chains, beer bottles and a crate.

Chief Inspector J. Morgan said that Mr Davis was kept in the house for “some considerable” time without medical help and was later thrown on to the street and found by a passerby. Six gang members were arrested on Saturday night in the Panmure hotel and have been charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. One of the six was also charged with attempted murder in relation to an incident last week when a “Black Power” gang member was fired at outside the Ellerslie Motor Inn.

Mr Morgan said that the police were not going to allow gang members to get away with the assaults.