Cop stops stolen car then bitten, bashed

Antony Wilson is recovering at home.

Police hail 'selfless' security pair who stepped in to stop vicious pack attack.

A senior cop was bitten and bashed in a vicious pack attack police allege was carried out by three young women and a teenage boy.

Senior Sergeant Antony Wilson was set upon by the four occupants of a stolen car after he had chased down the driver at the corner of Beach Rd and Customs St in central Auckland at 1am yesterday. He suffered bites to his arms and legs.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Newman, who's in charge of the investigation into the attack, paid tribute to two security guards who came to Wilson's aid, saying he could have suffered more serious injuries had they not intervened.

"It is selfless acts like this that make you realise that it is more than just police fighting crime - it's a team effort and a partnership with the community that makes the difference."

Wilson is a former trustee of KingsWay School in Silverdale.

An online biography said he oversaw the police youth aid sections and the youth action teams.

"This gave me a very good understanding of the pressures that our young people are facing today."

Last night, Wilson was recovering at home. He is expected to return to work this week.

Yesterday three women, aged 21, 19 and 18, and a 15-year-old youth, were formally charged with causing grievous bodily harm and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

The two younger women appeared in the Auckland District Court wearing police-issue white overalls. Justice of the Peace Colin Davis granted them bail with strict conditions.

The court heard that the oldest defendant was in hospital because she had allegedly told police she was pregnant and bleeding. Mr Davis remanded her in custody.

In the Youth Court, the boy faced an additional charge of dishonestly taking the car, a Nissan Sentra, valued at $1000. He wore white police overalls over a bare chest. He sported facial bruises and his hands were cuffed behind his back.

He was granted bail under strict conditions to appear again on Thursday.

The youth cannot be named because of his age, and the women have temporary name suppression, which will be reviewed by a judge when they reappear tomorrow.