YouTube assault victim's name suppressed

A 16-year-old Hastings schoolboy who was the victim of a videotaped assault posted on the YouTube website was yesterday granted permanent name suppression.

The name of his school has also been permanently suppressed. Judge Philip O'Connell said in the Hastings Youth Court two brothers, aged 14 and 16, who organised the March attack had the "privilege" of automatic name suppression. He thought it fair that the victim receive the same protection.

The boy feared he would be forced to re-live the trauma of the assault, during which he was repeatedly kicked in the head and made to kiss the shoe of one of the brothers.