Schoolboy faces serious assault charge

A serious assault charge has been laid against a 17-year-old schoolboy alleged to have taken part in a late night group attack on two men walking home along Lincoln Road last month.

Tuari Damyn Karipa-Rangi had originally been charged with robbing two men of their wallets, and taking a watch from one of them, when the police said the pair were beaten unconscious in the 2am attack.

But he faced a further charge at his appearance in a pre-depositions conference session in the Christchurch District Court today, Christchurch Court News website reported.

He is now charged with injuring one of the two men with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

At the request of defence counsel Kerry Cook, he was remanded on bail to another conference session in two weeks, so that a combined depositions date could be set for Karipa-Rangi and two co-accused who are appearing in the Youth Court.

In such cases, the depositions are heard in the Youth Court for all accused.

Karipa-Rangi is on bail under strict conditions including a 24-hour curfew at an address in Northcote, and a ban on consuming alcohol or illicit drugs during the remand. He is only allowed to leave the address if he is with an adult and is attending a meeting with his lawyer, or going to the police station.

The victims, aged 18 and 19, spent the night in hospital after the attack.

Karipa-Rangi is next due to appear in court on May 28.

- NZPA