Petty gang blamed for attack on Michael Laws

Bashed broadcaster Michael Laws has laid the blame for his assault in a Wanganui bar on the local Hells Angels gang - whom he has labelled "petty, pathetic and cowardly".
Laws suffered a black eye and lost several porcelain veneers from his mouth when he was king hit at Caroline's Celtic bar about 11.30pm on Friday.
Police are investigating and said they had not identified the man responsible for the assault.
A spokeswoman said the assault was not serious, but police were trying to locate CCTV footage from the area that might help to identify the culprit.
But Laws, who alerted media to the assault through an emailed statement on Sunday afternoon, shared his own theory on Radio Live yesterday. He told listeners that witnesses had told him they were "95 per cent certain" the man who hit him was a Hells Angels gang member or associate.
"That would figure. Hells Angels are not the soundest people in the world, to be perfectly honest with you, and they are cowardly," Mr Laws said.
"The Hells Angels, they'll do their little bit for intimidation. It's always petty, it's always pathetic, it's always cowardly and it's always done never to your face. And they always run away."
Laws said that after the show witnesses had come forward with the information about the attacker and he would pass it on to police.
"One has identified an alleged gang associate, connected with Hells Angels. I am not able to confirm that information but would not be surprised," he said.
"A Hells Angel member has also boasted publicly of a rock being thrown through my children's bedroom window earlier, and there have been other intimidatory incidents including an earlier incident in 2005 when I was out walking with my two youngest kids and two patched gang members rode at me and shouted obscenities."
On air, he said due to his part in the success of anti-gang legislation in Wanganui, he had been targeted by a number of local gangs but it was usually a verbal attack or rude gesture.
"Gangs are cowards. That's why people join gangs. They're losers in life and they join a gang. Then a whole lot of losers get together and decide 'how can we lose together'."
Laws said the assault was unacceptable and every New Zealander should be able to go about their business without fear of assault or a fray.
"It's the shock of being hit that always gets you. It's never the pain, it's never the damage. It's the shock, because you don't expect it."
- additional reporting APN