Gang beats up youth

Press, 25 November 1980, Page 6

Gang beats up youth

PA Auckland A North Shore youth lay in Auckland Hospital last evening recovering from brain surgery after being a victim of what tjie police said was a “malicious wanton assault.” Wayne Colin Sloggett, aged 17, was one of five youths set upon by about a dozen “boot hoys” as they sat in a -car -outside a parity in Birkenhead at 1 am. yesterday. The attackers used an axe, iron Bars and stakes to smash every piece of g|ass in the car, causing several hundred dollars worth of damage. Two of the teenagers in

the car were dragged -on lo the pavement -and kicked and clubbed. All five occupants of the car were -taken to hospital with minor anpuMs and later discharged. But after - fhat Wayne Sloggett was admitted w'ith head injuries and hater had to undergo surgery to remove a blood -clot on his brain. Detective Senior - Sergeant T. Tozer, who is heading a team of 20 detectives investigating the bashing, said it was a malcious wanton assault on innocent victims. ’Tt appears they have been mistaken for 'another

group that had earlier been at the party in the Birkenhead Senior Citizens Association hall,” he said. The hall had been hired by a youth, aged 18, to,celebrate a trip to the United States next month. During the night therehad been one or two skirmishes with outsiders, hut? not directly involving the "ffioot hoys” group. They had not been invited but were allowed to stay when they arrived. Mr Tozer said the police were concerned that a schoolboy could hire n hall and hold a party without any adult or parent supervision.