Man battered in his bed

Press, 8 September 1980, Page 4

Man battered in his bed

A young Christchurch man was attacked in.his bed.and beaten with a baseball, bat at. a flat in Mandeville Street, Riccarton, early yesterday morning. ; The. police:,.said that Mr Stephen -Laughton, aged (22; had been in bed , about * 6 a.m. - when . three youths burst into - the flat and attacked him., - ' -

He had been dragged from the bed,, beaten with the bat, and punched and kicked. - i* Mr Laughton. : suffered moderately serious head injuries- and extensive bruising. He was reported to be in a fairly comfortable co'ri.3 dition in Christchurch Hos-’ pital last evening; ;

Nothing was taken from the flat.

The police later arrested three youths, aged 18 and 19. They will appear in, .the District-Court charged with assault - .with intent - to injure. ' ..v ■ - ■■ -. Another man, aged 20, has been charged with assault with- intent to injure- after? a stabbing incident in Cathedral Square early yesterday morning. ' ’ - ' ■ ,

- A man, aged 19, suffered a minor stab wound to the back in the incident, which occurred after an argument in the north-eastern corner .of the Square about 12.15 a.m. He was treated at Christchurch Hospital and discharged.