Charges after 'Facebook fiasco' party

The Students Against Drunk Driving car was smashed when a party got out of control after a Facebook invite went viral.

A 20-year-old man has been charged after a party described by police as a "Facebook fiasco" attracted up to 1500 people in Napier last month.

The party's alleged organiser, with interim name suppression, appeared in Napier District Court yesterday.

He was charged with endangering the safety of the public by allowing alcohol to be consumed on an unlicensed premises, and with managing an unlicensed premises, also known as "BME House Party Round 2," as a place where alcohol was consumed. He entered no plea and will reappear on May 27.

Police called it "one of those Facebook fiascos". They previously said the party on Rutherford Rd, was advertised on Facebook with an "open invite". Police made 15 arrests for disorderly-type offences that night. It was shut down about 1.30am on April 5.

At the time, locals described "a number of fights" which broke out in the surrounding area on the night of the party, and a large group of young people refusing to move for police, while concerned residents looked on in their dressing gowns and pyjamas.

One resident had seen a bottle being hit on someone's head.

A car belonging to Students Against Dangerous Driving parked on nearby Kennedy Rd, was trampled on.