A Nelson teenager has been arrested over a vicious attack in which a man was left for seven hours in a pool of his own blood.
Hairdresser Brent William Powell, 48, suffered severe head injuries in the assault on Hardy St, in central Nelson, just after midnight Saturday. He lay unconscious for about seven hours before a jogger found him.
Police today arrested a 17-year-old man after executing a search warrant at a Nelson house.
He will appear in Nelson District Court this afternoon charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Several other people at the house were also taken into custody, but have since been released.
Police were also speaking with two 18-year-old men about the attack and further charges may be laid.
Nelson area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said the arrest followed information received from the public and social media sites
Mr Powell was last night flown to back to Nelson after undergoing facial reconstructive surgery at Hutt Hospital.
His injuries included an intracranial bleed, severe swelling about the head and face, multiple facial fractures, a broken jaw and broken teeth.
Detective Pat Nally of Nelson police said they hoped to speak with Mr Powell today in Nelson Hospital, where he was recovering.
"Up until now all we've done is briefly speak to him, so we'd like to spend a bit more time with him," he said.
Police have urged people to report any suspicious behaviour - no matter how minor it seems - after someone who witnessed the attack did not call police because the incident lasted less than a minute.
- NZPA
Teen arrested over Nelson bashing
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