Church-going youth charged over brutal attacks

A church-going, youth-group-attending schoolboy charged over two brutal gang attacks on other teenagers has appeared in court while the hunt continues for the person who stabbed his father to death with a knife.

The 17-year-old, George Meaole Naea, is the son of Iulio Naea Kilepoa, who was found murdered on Sunday, the same day his son is alleged to have taken part in a street brawl that put two other teens in hospital.

In total, five young men have been hurt in attacks that police say Naea was involved in.

The more recent attack occurred early on Sunday morning in Norrie Smith Ave, Flat Bush, leaving an 18-year-old critically injured and a 17-year-old seriously hurt.

Later that day Mr Kilepoa, Naea's 38-year-old father, was found dead at home in the same street.

Police say the murder is linked to the fight but will not say how.

Naea appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday, dressed in a white boiler suit.

His family, shocked by his arrest and gang connections, wept in the back of the court.

Details emerged of a previous street attack - police allege that Naea and more than a dozen gang members went to Aorere Park on October 14 looking for a rival gang.

When they failed to find their rivals they picked on three innocent teenagers.

Naea is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a 16-year-old schoolboy who was left paralysed down one side of his body and is now unable to speak. He is charged with assaulting two other boys who were left with minor injuries.

In the more recent attack, early last Sunday, Naea allegedly led eight carloads of youths to Flat Bush and the group smashed two cars before turning on a rival gang.

Naea faces two attempted murder charges over injuries to 18-year-old Ernest Pio and 17-year-old Hanton Turia.

Crown prosecutor Steven Haszard told the court Naea carried a baseball bat in both attacks and on Sunday hit one of the victims on the head "a number of times".

Panama Le'au'anae, Naea's lawyer, disputed those claims and applied for bail, saying Naea had no previous convictions and attended an Otahuhu school, church and a youth programme regularly.

Judge Sharon McAuslan declined bail and remanded Naea in custody until December, when he will reappear with eight other young people who were last week charged in connection with the October 14 Aorere Park attack.

No arrest has been made in the murder case. A team of 36 officers is investigating the homicide and the gang fight.

* Anyone with information can call police on 0800 4 BILLY or 0800 424-559.

The attacks

* Oct 14 - Aorere Park, midday. Three teenagers attacked by youth gang. One of the victims is now semi-paralysed.

* Oct 23 - Flat Bush, 1.45am. A street brawl leaves an 18-year-old critically injured and a 17-year-old seriously injured.

* Oct 23 - Iulio Naea Kilepoa found dead in his home with a knife buried in his chest.