Police seek public's help in Taupo assault case

FILE

Taupo police are investigating a serious assault and believe there are people who were in the area that could have vital information.

A group of New Year's Eve revellers had stopped to speak to another group at a picnic bench next to a parking area known as the Pits.

In a seemingly unprovoked attack, a man by the picnic bench was punched and knocked unconscious. The assault happened around 3am.

The 20-year-old man from Wellington was hospitalised with a head injury and is now recovering at home.

A number of people congregated around a parked white vehicle at the time of the assault, and police believe some will have witnessed the assault or will have information that might help identify the offender.

There would have been a large amount of blood at the scene that people would have noticed, and they may have unwittingly spoken to the offender as information suggests he returned to the scene after police and ambulance had left.

If you have any information that will assist this investigation, please contact Taupo police on (07) 378 6060.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.