Man accused of driving over brother, pinning woman to fence

A man who said he drove into a group of people to save his brother from getting beaten up, but ended up running him over, faces assault and dangerous driving charges, Hamilton police said today.

Police were called to a party in the suburb of Enderley, in Hamilton East, about 8.30pm on Saturday after reports that someone had been run over by a car.

They said initial indications were that the 27-year-old arrested man been drinking at the Eliot St property with his brother when they were asked to leave because of their level of intoxication.

The man left in a vehicle and drove around neighbouring streets before returning.

He was alleged to have driven towards a woman, pinning her against a fence.

He was then reported to have chased several people into an empty property and, when he could drive no further, tried to reverse out, hitting his brother.

After his brother rolled out from under the vehicle, the man drove off but was stopped by police a short time later on nearby Mardon Rd.

He said he had driven the way he did to try to stop his brother from being beaten up by the group.

Police said the man faced charges of assaulting a person with a weapon and driving dangerously, causing injury.

Further charges were likely.

The brother was taken to Waikato Hospital and treated for superficial injuries.

- NZPA