Witnesses to stabbing

Press, 21 February 1986, Page 5

Witnesses to stabbing

Two men arrested after the multiple stabbing of another man in Cathedral Square on Wednesday evening are earlier believed: to have been involved in an altercation at a Christchurch hotel, according to the police.

The: attack has left Alan Leslie O’Brien, aged 24, critically ill in the inten-sive-care unit of Christchurch Hospital.

Detective Senior-Ser-geant Quentin Doig said that tlie police sought witnesses! to the attack on Mr O’Brien as well as to the other altercation. Mr O’Brien was stabbed repeatedly in the chest and stomach as he stood near the Christchurch Transport Board kiosk. The attack occurred -about 10.40 p.m. as dozens of people were waiting to catch the last bus home. Detective Senior-Ser-geant Doig said that the offenders were believed to have been involved in an altercation about 10.30 p.m. at the foot of the stairs leading to the lounge bar of the Oxford Hotel.

Two other bar patrons were involved and the police are particularly keen to hear from them.

Detective Senior-Ser-geant Doig also praised the response of members of the public who saw the attack on Mr O’Brien.

Some had given medical aid to the injured man. Others had followed the attackers and were able to tell the police of their whereabouts.

The attack apparently happened too quickly for bystanders to intervene.

The offenders are described as European men. One was about 190 cm tall, of medium to solid build, with broad shoulders, and a beard. He had tattoos on both forearms and was aged about 27.

He wore a blue denim jacket, khaki shirt, black jersey, blue jeans, and white running shoes. . The . other,, was,, about 173 cm tall, of solid build, with straight brown hair, and a neatly trimmed beard? He was aged about 21 and had tattoos on the left knuckle.

He wore blue jeans, a black woollen jersey, and a light-blue denim shirt. Two men appeared in the District Court yesterday charged with the attempted murder qf Mr O’Brien. Court report, page 7.