Defendant's friends lash out at media

Langi Koloamatangi hides under a hoodie. Photo / NZ Herald

Friends of a man facing an assault charge over an incident that has left a man in a coma lashed out at the media as they left the Auckland District Court yesterday.

Langi Koloamatangi, who lost name suppression when he appeared yesterday, is a 20-year-old part-time storeman who is accused of assaulting Trevor Kaukau in Karangahape Rd last month.

Mr Kaukau is still in Auckland City Hospital, where part of his skull has been removed to relieve the effects of swelling on his brain. He has been in a drug-induced coma.

A spokesman for the Auckland District Health Board said the 40-year-old was in a serious but stable condition but still in intensive care.

Koloamatangi, Mr Kaukau's alleged attacker, had been granted interim name suppression so he could tell his parents and boss of the charge. But that lapsed yesterday.

He was supported by three friends in the public gallery, one of whom gave him a hoodie as he left court so he could hide his face from the media.

Outside court, one of the friends struck out at a Herald photographer, punching the camera lens.

Koloamatangi has been released on bail and is due back in court this month.