'Vigilante' assault charges withdrawn

Two Martinborough men accused of attacking teens as part of a vigilante patrol group have had charges against them withdrawn by police.

Police told a depositions hearing in Masterton District Court yesterday that it appeared that Bruce Sullivan, 51, and his son-in-law Chris Vizor, 33, acted in self-defence, The Dominion Post reported.

They were among about 40 members of a community group which patrolled the Wairarapa town at night after a spate of burglaries earlier this year.

The group disbanded after a run-in between the two men and local teens during which a gunshot was heard.

Sullivan was later been charged with two counts of injuring with intent to injure and one of possessing an offensive weapon, a police-style extendable baton.

Vizor was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, one of assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawfully discharging a firearm with reckless disregard, and possession of an offensive weapon, also a baton.

Assault charges against the men were withdrawn yesterday after they agreed to plead guilty to possessing weapons.

They were remanded on bail to reappear in court on Monday.

- NZPA