Texting turns violent

A fracas involving 12 people erupted in Masterton on Tuesday night following conflict between teenagers over text messages.

Five people were arrested after parents of the teenagers became involved when the fight spilled on to a street.

Two Masterton girls, both aged 15, and a Masterton woman, 19, were arrested and charged with fighting.

Another Masterton girl, 15, has been charged with breach of the peace and a Masterton man, 37, faces charges of obstruction.

Senior Sergeant Warwick Burr said there had been several incidents lately where young people sent each other abusive text messages.

Text messages are stored in the memory of cellphones and can be used as evidence in prosecutions.

- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE (MASTERTON)