'Hero' not telling the full story, say police

Police say the man being hailed as a hero after chasing an alleged teenage burglar is not telling the events as they happened.

Michael Vaimauga was charged with assault after trying to stop three teenagers who he says were breaking into Guthrie Bowron's Panmure store this year.

The father of four, who this week was presented with a medal by Act party Justice spokesman Stephen Franks on behalf of Guthrie Bowron, has said he intervened after seeing the teens smash a window.

He said one of the youths tried to attack him so he hit him once with a softball bat.

But Chief Inspector John Palmer, Eastern Area Commander, said Mr Vaimauga's version did not match what he told a constable after the attack.

"When Mr Vaimauga was interviewed by police at the time he did not see or hear a window being broken ... yet he told a TV programme that he was standing there watching them as they smashed the window. That's completely different to what he told us."

Mr Palmer said because Mr Vaimauga told police he did not see the window being smashed, there was no justification for chasing and attacking the teenager. "To make the assumption, and it is an assumption only, that these people are responsible for a burglary has not been established."

Mr Vaimauga maintains he did see the window being smashed and that the teens were responsible.

He also says one of them admitted smashing the window in a statement to police and that the police version of events is "bullcrap".

Mr Palmer said Mr Vaimauga was charged with assault because he used excessive force on the teenager.

"He has claimed he only hit him once but that is at variance with the truth because the young fellow had several injuries."

Police are dealing with the teenager through youth aid but, because of his age, cannot say what will happen to him.

Mr Palmer said Mr Vaimauga pleaded guilty to the charge in court rather than choosing to fight it.

"The issue to me is a dead one. He has been dealt with by the courts. He's pleaded guilty ... the judge chastised him and we are following up on the other stuff.

"We were satisfied, on the information he gave us that night, that he did not have justification for beating that young man."

Mr Vaimauga, who said he was advised by his lawyer to plead guilty, has received $1600 and two community awards for his actions. Guthrie Bowron paid his $150 fine.