Suspects named in Tokoroa bashing

Tokoroa police expect to make arrests today after a 21-year-old man was left in a serious condition when he was bashed by a pack of up to 15 youths yesterday.

Police said the attack involving the use of a number of weapons including bats, steel pipes, fence palings and lengths of wood happened at a house in Jedburgh Street about 1.30pm.

Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Tokoroa CIB, said yesterday the victim suffered serious head injuries and three other youths were also targeted.

Police recovered a number of weapons from the scene but believed others may have been discarded nearby as the offenders fled.

Mr Verry said the offenders were mainly Maori or Polynesian youths aged 15-25 years, all wearing some form of blue clothing. There were several girls with the group, Mr Verry said.

It was too soon to say if the attack was gang-related

Police said today that they had the names of several suspects and arrested were expected today.

- NZPA