Homicide and attack on women alleged

Police are investigating a homicide at a Far North beach.

The discovery of a 62-year-old man's body in a car on a Far North beach has sparked a homicide investigation as a result of one of two serious crimes in the region on the same night.

Police found the man on Tokerau Beach about 10.30pm on Tuesday and a 61-year-old woman is helping detectives with their investigations.

Thirty minutes later in Whangarei, police were called after two women were assaulted by a man with a metal bar at a Tikipunga house, leaving one woman with a broken arm and dislocated elbow, while the other suffered a fractured eye socket. The two were in Whangarei Hospital in a stable condition.

The assault on the women and the death of the Far North man come after a 58-year-old man was seriously assaulted in Kaikohe last Friday. He remains in hospital and a 51-year-old man has been arrested.

Yesterday, officers had made no arrests in relation to the death of the man but said they were waiting for a post-mortem examination to be completed in Auckland. No one else was wanted in relation to the death.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said police carried out inquiries in the area, as well as a scene examination at a house in Whatuwhiwhi involving scientists from Environmental Science and Research yesterday. The car where the man was found was also examined.

Police were also interested to hear from anyone who may have seen a red Nissan Primera car, registration XU4691, being driven around the Tokerau Beach and Whatuwhiwhi area between 7.30pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday, or around Inland Rd.

The man's name would not be released until next of kin had been notified. Police would not reveal if a weapon had been used. Information can be given to Kaitaia police on 09 408 6500 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In Whangarei, hospital staff confirmed two women, aged 31 and 32, had been admitted to a ward and were in a stable condition. Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe said the women had gone to a house in Balmoral Rd, Tikipunga, and were allegedly assaulted by a man with a metal bar. They managed to leave and called for help. A St John ambulance crew collected the injured women about 7.20pm in the street and took them to Whangarei Hospital.

He said it was not domestic related. A 44-year-old man was arrested at the house.

Nicholas Williams appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday on two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was remanded in custody and will reappear on September 21.

Balmoral Rd was the centre of police attention earlier this year.

In January, Phillip Beazley, 60, appeared in the High Court at Whangarei on a charge of murdering his 25-year-old son, Leonard Nigel Kingi. Beazley has pleaded not guilty to the charge.