17 April 2008
Hamilton Police are extolling the value of the City's security cameras after footage assisted in the rapid arrest of an offender responsible for a savage attack in the CBD early this morning.
Detective Sergeant Robbie Hermann said a 47-year-old Hamilton man was in Waikato Hospital's Intensive Care Unit in a very serious condition following the attack which happened on Alexandra St about 2.40am.
"It appears our victim has walked past a man and a woman sitting on the footpath and made a comment to the couple.
"The man sitting on the footpath has then risen and proceeded to attack our victim, punching him several times until knocking him to the ground, then stomping and kicking him numerous times."
The offender has then fled down Alexandra St towards Collingwood St where he was arrested by Police responding to 111 calls from witnesses and scenes captured on camera.
"Our offender is a 36-year-old Hamilton man and he has been charged with wounding with intent to injure.
"He will be appearing in the Hamilton District Court later today," said Mr Hermann.
The woman, described as a female Caucasian wearing a white top and black skirt aged in her mid 20s with black shoulder length hair, fled the scene during the attack and Police are very keen to speak to her.
"She is likely to be a very good witness," said Mr Hermann.
Detectives are currently interviewing witnesses to the attack and Mr Hermann said investigators were keen to hear from anyone else who may have seen the attack.
With additional staff arriving in Hamilton to police the V8 racing Police have a stern warning for anyone intending to ruin people's enjoyment.
"In this case both parties were locals however the public can expect to see a considerably larger Police presence in the city and we will be taking a hard line with any acts of violence or disorder," said Mr Hermann.
END