Fight over stolen cellphone ends with stabbing

A fight over a stolen cellphone ended with a 17-year-old male being stabbed in the chest in Gisborne last night.

Police are speaking to a 15-year-old boy in relation to the incident, which occurred on the corner of Gladstone and Roebucks Roads about 6.30pm.

Detective Wayne Beattie said the victim was stabbed under his right arm, with the knife going right through to his back.

He was taken to Gisborne Hospital for treatment.

The alleged offender also received a cut and received stitches.

Mr Beattie said the fight arose over a cellphone the victim lost a couple of weeks ago.

He managed to track down a boy he suspected of taking it and arranged to meet him last night.

When he arrived with his father and brother, the boy was waiting for him. A fight began and the victim was stabbed, Mr Beattie said.

The Fire Service was called to clean the road of blood following the incident.

- NZPA