Police attack accused in court tomorrow

The alleged principal of a pack of youths who attacked two police officers in the Waikato town of Ngaruawahia early yesterday will appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow.

The 17-year-old faces three charges of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police said today that it was initially thought that the teenager was 15 but it had since emerged that he had his 17th birthday the day before the attack.

This meant he would appear in the adult court rather than the Youth Court.

Meanwhile two other youths were still helping with inquiries and further arrests were expected.

Police said earlier that the two officers - one from Huntly and one from Ngaruawahia - were called to a disturbance in Ngaruawahia about 12.40am on Saturday.

"The pair had just cleared a domestic incident and turned on to Ellery St when they encountered a group of youths on the road who were just coming out from a party," Mr Simpson said.

"As the officers were speaking to the youths, estimated to be about 35 strong, the group split into two of about 20 and 15 strong.

"As they were asking them to move on the smaller group turned on them."

One youth was armed with a pool cue, which he used to attack the officers, while others pelted them with bottles and cans.

Police said that the officers used pepper spray to defend themselves.

One officer was hit on the back of the head with the cue and suffered what appears to be a fractured eye socket with internal bleeding in his eye.

His colleague suffered quite a serious fracture to his hand.

Both officers were treated at Waikato Hospital before being discharged.

- NZPA