Man accused of using mobility scooter as weapon

A 50-year-old Whangarei man has been charged with assault with a weapon after allegedly running over a 14-year-old girl with his mobility scooter.

The teenager and a friend were playing on the cricket pitch at Kensington Park around 2pm on Monday when police said the man attacked, driving right into one of the girls and knocking her over.

Whangarei police Sergeant Neil Pennington said the man "took exception" to the girls playing on the pitch tried to run them down.

The girl suffered bruising on her ankle, knee and thigh, he said.

The man has been bailed to appear in Whangarei District Court on November 3.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE