Assault accused appears in court

The 32 year old Tauranga man charged in relation to the assault of Lance Scullin, who was found dead on his Merivale property on Sunday, has been granted interim name suppression.

The man appeared in Tauranga District Court this afternoon, charged with assault with intent to injure, common assault, and participating in an organised criminal group.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody ahead of his next court appearance on December 10.

Police say Mr Scullin's death and the assault are not connected but they will continue to hunt for around eight more people who took part in the assault just hours before he was found dead by neighbours.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner today revealed there was another victim in Saturday's assault, a neighbour who joined Mr Scullin in trying to break up the altercation.

Mr Turner would not reveal any details about the person but said they received minor injuries similar to Mr Scullin after they were attacked.

Mr Turner said CCTV footage and information from the community had helped greatly with the investigation, which would continue until police had "hunted down" everyone involved in the assaults.

"Police have names of many of these people but we are still asking for the community to help piece together the last details.

"We are looking for a group of eight or more males, of various ages.

"The majority of these people and their families know we are looking for them and it is only a matter of time until we catch up with them.

"I would urge them to present to a police station immediately."