Beer bottle joke backfires on friends

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A man who asked his mate to hit him over the head with a beer bottle to see if it hurt was "one of the more bizarre incidents we've attended recently", Alexandra police said yesterday.

It happened in an Alexandra hotel on Friday night and neither man was intoxicated, Central Otago sub- area supervisor Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said.

"It appears to have been a joke that backfired somewhat, as the 21-year-old man received a small cut to his head, that required medical attention," Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.

The empty stubbie beer bottle smashed on impact and police happened to walk into the hotel shortly afterwards on a routine check of licensed premises.

"However, after making inquiries, police ascertained that the two men were involved in a bit of a practical joke. One had asked the other to hit him with the beer bottle to see if it hurt."

As a result, the 25-year-old who hit his friend as requested was given a pre-charge warning on a charge of disorderly behaviour and both men were removed from the hotel, Snr Sgt Kerrisk said. Both were from Alexandra.

"It's fair to say it's probably one of the more bizarre incidents we've attended recently."

And the verdict on whether it hurt?

"At the time, the man said he didn't feel anything, but I suspect he'd have felt it later," Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.