Alcohol factor in stabbings

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 6

Alcohol factor in stabbings

PA Auckland Police say alcohol was a common factor in at least three of four violent incidents in South Auckland during the- week-end. The incidents included three stabbings. Detective x Chief Inspector Brian Middleton said yesterday that he was concerned at the readiness of people to carry and to use weapons. “It has become popular to carry knives and firearms. Alcohol is often a contributing factor in cases where weapons are used." He said that his detectives were kept busy dealing with: - • A domestic stabbing in Manurewa late last Sunday where a woman was alleged to have stabbed her husband. The man was in Middlemore Hospital with a severe chest wound and a woman will appear in the District Court at Papakura today charged with injuring with intent. • A domestic stabbing in Mangere about midnight on Saturday where a woman, aged 20. was alleged to have stabbed her boyfriend, aged 19, in the chest. He was

recovering', .in Middlemore Hospital. A woman will appear in the District Court at Otahuhu today charged with assault with intent to injure. • A fight outside a house in Mangere which left a stabbed victim and his alleged assailant in hospital. Mr Middleton said the victim's friends set on the alleged assailant. One man was in Middlemore Hospital with arm stab wounds and the other was in Auckland Hospital with facial injuries. The police will interview both and charges may follow. • A brawl outside Caspers Cabaret in Otahuhu on Saturday night in which a woman, aged 19, received a black eye and other bruising to the face. The police arrested a man for the assault and said inquiries were continuing. In another stabbing incident in the city, a North Shore youth, aged 16, required surgery for a stomach wound after being knifed in a fight at Glenfield Shopping Mall on Saturday. The police arrested a youth and charged him with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.