Broken glasses wielded

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 9

Broken glasses wielded

Two men who tried to stop the theft of a taxi in New Brighton on Thursday evening were beaten by glass-wielding attackers.

One of the victims, Mr John Walder, aged 40, underwent two hours surgery in Christchurch Hospital yesterday for a serious eye injury.

He will be in hospital for at least a week and will not know for some time whether his eye has suffered permanent damage.

The other victim, Mr John Sutton, suffered cuts and bruises and was rest-

ing at home yesterday. The incident happened about 9.30 p.m. outside the Esplanade Hotel in Marine Parade.

Detective Sergeant Peter Gardiner said yesterday that the police were following positive lines of inquiry in the search for the two attackers, who were Maori men.

A taxi had been called to the Esplanade Hotel and the driver had gone inside to page the “Brown party.”

The taxi was outside with its motor running and two men jumped into

Mr Walder, who was getting into his car nearby, was suspicious and went to investigate.

He challenged the men, who said they were trying to “start” the alreadyrunning taxi. They broke hotel glasses and attacked him, hitting him in the face. He fell to the ground and was kicked. Mr Sutton arrived and was also attacked. The two attackers fled, leaving the taxi. Mr Sutton then ran inside the hotel to get help.