Call for end to attacks

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell. Photo / Getty Images

As Sydney's latest king-hit victim continues to fight for his life, the New South Wales state Government is coming under increased pressure to stop the carnage caused by alcohol-fuelled violence.

Eighteen-year-old Daniel Christie remained in a critical condition at St Vincent's Hospital after he was punched in the face on New Year's Eve.

Doctors believe the teenager will probably suffer a serious brain injury if he survives the vicious assault that occurred as he walked through Kings Cross with his brother.

His alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, 25, allegedly struck three young men before targeting Christie and his brother, Peter. The Parramatta Bail Court heard McNeil had drunk nine drinks before the alleged incident.

The attack has prompted the state Opposition to renew its calls for the Government to implement Labor's alcohol policy.

Acting Opposition leader Linda Burney said: "Alcohol-fuelled violence is at crisis point in this city."

The plan, which has been trialled in Newcastle, includes imposing 1am lockouts and stopping the serving of alcohol at 3am across the city centre and Kings Cross.

But Premier Barry O'Farrell said the Government had already imposed measures in Kings Cross, which had resulted in assaults in the precinct dropping by one-third. The Government would also be trialling an identity scanning system to identify trouble-makers and ban them from the late-night strip, he added.

- AAP