KEY POINTS:
A group of youths allegedly punched, kicked and humiliated a 16-year-old Hastings boy in what police described as a "repugnant" attack which was filmed and then posted on the internet.
That posting led to two youths, aged 14 and 16, being arrested yesterday and charged with assault. They
will appear in the Hastings Youth Court on Friday.
Between 20 to 30 youths - some as young as 12 - watched as the victim was attacked in a Hastings park on March 30.
The male and female teenagers spurred on the attack by the two males who allegedly punched and kicked the victim in the head and body.
The attack which began about 6pm, lasted 10 minutes and was filmed by a video camera and cellphones. The images were uploaded onto the internet site 'YouTube' two days later.
The victim, who received injuries including cuts to his mouth and bruising to his head and shoulders, did not tell police or his parents fearing retaliation.
However, he was upset at the YouTube posting.
A complaint was made to police, and the footage removed from YouTube.
Mr Greig said police seized a video camera, computer and cellphones allegedly containing footage of the attack.
Police were aware the footage had been "downloaded a great deal" with many people posting it on their Bebo websites.
Mr Greig said police were taking legal advice to determine whether the footage could be termed objectionable and if so people holding the footage could be prosecuted for possessing objectionable material.
This was the first case of a filmed assault in Hawke's Bay being posted on the internet, but police would be vigorously investigating any similar footage that came to light, Mr Greig said.
"Police do not require a complaint from any individual to act in such circumstances and could act solely on the basis of footage posted."
If the offender can be identified then police would do their utmost to ensure the person was arrested, charged or dealt with by authorities.
Hastings police youth services co-ordinator sergeant Dave Greig said the assault was disturbing and "repugnant".
"Not only was he assaulted, but after the assault he was subjected to degrading behaviour," he said.
Mr Greig would not detail the behaviour or identify the park.
More arrests were expected as the footage allegedly showed the spectators actively inciting the attack.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
