Mr Whippy bashed after denying freebie

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A Bay of Plenty Mr Whippy driver has been bashed and robbed after refusing to dish out a free ice-cream to a punter, say police.

The man was selling ice-creams in Kawerau, 32km southwest of Whakatane, last Wednesday night when the attack happened.

The offender was turned away when he asked for a free ice-cream.

However, when the driver hopped in the front seat to drive away the man leapt in through the service window and threw a bottle at him, Detective Darryn Gabb said.

He then hit him with a flurry of punches which left the victim battered and bruised, Mr Gabb said.

The offender asked where the till was and stole about $550.

Police are still looking for him. He was described as a male Maori of thin to medium build aged about 16 to 20 years old, wearing a red woollen scarf covering his face, a dark hat and dark jacket.

The victim's employer, a Mr Whippy franchise owner who did not want to be named, was horrified at the attack.

He had been in the mobile ice-cream business for 20 years and had never heard of another driver being attacked in his vehicle. The franchisee offered a reward of $100 to anyone who could provide police with information that would lead to the attacker's conviction.

- NZPA