Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum from Manukau Police talks with media as appeal for information about the serious assault that happened in the early hours of Saturday 26th of September to George Siaos
Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum from Manukau Police talks with media as appeal for information about the serious assault that happened in the early hours of Saturday 26th of September to George Siaos
A king hit attack that left a man fighting for his life in hospital has prompted a top cop to deliver a stinging message against senseless acts of violence.
"This macho bulls*** has to stop," Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum said today, as the family of victim George Siaosi made an emotional plea for his attackers to come forward.
"This 'one-on-one, you and I out the back' has got to stop," he continued.
"Over my career, time and time again, I've seen people severely injured as a result of this one punch scenario. And our whole culture around violence has to change - this macho attitude of men has to change."
Mr Siaosi, 36, was attacked in the carpark of the Denny's restaurant in Manukau, South Auckland on Friday night.
Police believe Mr Siaosi and a friend were followed by a group of six men from nearby Bar 1981, where there had been an earlier altercation that bar staff had broken up.
Mr Lendrum said Mr Siaosi was struck on the head by one of the men and knocked unconscious almost immediately.
"As a result George has some very serious head injuries. They're life threatening."
Mr Siaosi remains in a stable but critical condition in Auckland Hospital.
Papa Li'i Seiuli Johnny Siaosi and Melissa Ansin are joined by family as they talk about George Siaosi and appeal for information. Photo / Greg Bowker
At a press conference this afternoon, his family described the attack as "heartbreaking" and "devastating".
His father Papali'i Seiuli Johnny Siaosi said his son was a "loving man" whose only arguments growing up were over who was going to be his best friend.
"It is difficult to see a young man who everyone loves just lying comatose in a bed," he said.
"And we don't know whether he's going to come out of it or not. He's in God's hands.He pleaded for help from the community, saying the family was "not looking for reprisals, just looking for peace".
Mother Sandra Gray said she had brought up her sons to always think of the parents of anyone they might argue with.
"Now somebody's come along and done this to George and hasn't considered anyone. The impact that it's had on us - and this is just a handful of us - it's just devastating," she said.
"I just want him to wake up and tell me a joke," she said through tears, describing Mr Siaosi's "wicked sense of humour".
"It just breaks our heart that our boy is lying in bed now when he should be out enjoying his life."
Mr Siaosi's fiancee Melissa Ansin said the couple had been planning to get married and were hoping to have children.
"There's five young men out there who are able to continue on with their lives, while George is lying unconscious in a hospital bed and he will now have to learn how to piece his life back together, however that may be."
Mr Siaosi's aunt, sisters, stepmother, pastor and family friend were also at the press conference.
A photograph of Mr Siaosi's grandfather, who he was named after, sat on a vacant chair.
Mr Lendrum said investigations into the attack were continuing and he appealed for witnesses to "have the courage to come forward".
Police were trawling through CCTV footage, but were yet to identify images of the attackers.
Despite that, Mr Lendrum said the case was "very solvable".
