Arrest in attack on Kawakawa railway stalwart

Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust operations manager Mike Bradshaw.

A teenager from Moerewa has appeared in Youth Court today in relation to an alleged aggravated burglary which took place at the Kawakawa Vintage Railway.

Kerikeri police Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson said following information received from a member of the public a 15-year-old male from Moerewa had appeared in the Kaikohe Youth Court on a burglary charge.

Mr Robinson said the teenager was helping police with their ongoing investigation."Police are following positive lines of enquiries in relation to the alleged assault of the victim," he said.

Police thanked the public for their help.Bay of Islands Vintage Railway stalwart Mike Bradshaw, 78, suffered a black eye, bruised ribs and a head wound when he was punched and kicked after disturbing seven youths about 8.30am on Saturday, April 29.

Undeterred Mr Bradshaw was back at work the next day complaining only of pain when he laughed or coughed.

He was fetching milk for Grubby, the railway cat, when he startled three boys in the engine shed. They quickly scarpered but when he walked into the engineering workshop four more boys were allegedly rifling through the cupboards.

He threw the cat's milk and saucer at the nearest youth but the other three allegedly set upon him. As he was on the ground being kicked he was able to reach a shovel, which he used to strike one of his attackers on the head. They then fled.