Brutal street beating has police stumped

Andrew Pike has had surgery on his jaw and chin since last month's attack in Albany. Photo / Richard Robinson

When two carloads of strangers started yelling abuse, Andrew Pike and his mates ignored them.

But seconds later they were set upon by about eight men and he was sprawled on the road being kicked in the head, his jaw broken in six places.

"They all just basically jumped at us at once and just nailed us," he said.

The 20-year-old North Shore engineer doesn't remember much after the attack, on Mercari Way in Albany on Friday, November 14..

"I lost six teeth and got knocked out cold," he said. "And then I remember being in the ambulance and them telling me I'd broken my neck."

His neck was fine but three weeks later he is sucking meals through a straw.

And police are stumped. Constable Alan Welch of North Shore CIB said witness accounts conflicted and he urged others to come forward.

Mr Pike said he was "dealt to the worst" because he was at the front, but Bevan Smith, 21 from Grey Lynn, and Nathan Summerville, 19 from the North Shore, were also severely beaten.

Mr Smith copped a broken nose, black eye and chipped teeth, Mr Summerville severe bruising and cuts to the face. All were taken to North Shore Hospital for treatment, but Mr Pike was later transferred to Middlemore.

The fourth in the group, 21-year-old Sam Jukes from the North Shore, managed to get away and ran back with a local bouncer.

The man, who wanted to be known as "Craig", was shocked by such a random, brutal attack. "I've worked in South Auckland, but ... They did go the whole hog on the young guys, they were bleeding everywhere," he said.

Mr Pike said his mates were "relatively good, just a bit tender".

But after two lots of surgery - to install plates in his chin and wire in his jaw - he is still in a lot of pain and struggles to speak properly.

"I've pretty much lived at Middlemore. They operated to put my teeth back and wired them in and then I came back to get two more plates in my chin," he said.

"And then I was back again to get braces to wire my mouth shut."

His jaw must stay wired for another five weeks.

Mr Pike's apprenticeship is on hold until he is allowed back to work in March, and New Year's Eve plans have been hampered.

"I was supposed to be going to Highlife [concert] in Matakana but we will be chilling at a bach," he said. "I just can't go because I can't get knocked."

Mr Pike said the evening of the attack began like any good night out, with beers and dancing at a mate's 21st birthday party.

The group migrated to another bar and about 1.30am decided to head home.

"We went to get a feed and order a taxi from the Caltex," Mr Pike said.

They were walking along Mercari Way, near the Mega Centre, when they were attacked. They did not know the attackers or respond to their jibes.

Anyone with information should call (09) 477-5064 or email alan.welch@police.govt.nz