Latest fromAssault and Homicide

Hemmings family 'torn to shreds'
The family of 'Good Samaritan' Austin Hemmings has been "torn to shreds" by his murder, a court heard today. Mr Hemmings' killer was this morning sentenced to at least 16 years in jail.

Hemmings' murderer jailed for at least 16 years
The man who admitted fatally stabbing "good Samaritan" Austin Hemmings has been sentenced to a minimum of 16 years' imprisonment, with the sentencing judge questioning whether he was truly remorseful.

Man breaks police officer's nose in ambulance
An injured man broke a police officer's nose as the officer tried to help restrain him in an ambulance.

Hung jury in case against policeman
A jury has been unable to reach a verdict in the case of a police officer accused of covering up the circumstances leading to the death of a man fleeing custody.

Jury considering verdict in cop cover-up case
The jury has gone out to consider its verdict in a case in which a police officer is accused of a cover up of the circumstances leading to the death of man fleeing custody.

Woman charged with murder of newborn baby
A 27-year-old Christchurch woman charged with murdering her new born child has been remanded in custody for a psychiatric report.

Young killer jailed for 20 months
A 14-year-old boy was jailed for 20 months and his father for two years at the High Court in Gisborne today in an emotional sequel to the shooting of an 11-year-old boy on an East Cape farm in July 2009.

Man appears on assault charge after domestic incident
A man arrested after a west Auckland domestic incident which resulted in six people being taken to hospital has appeared in court.

Officers accused of assaulting teen
A trial has begun for two police officers accused of punching and challenging to a fight an 18-year-old who was getting "a little bit lippy" after they were called to disperse a group of teens drinking in an Auckland park.

British grandmother waits on death row
For eight years, a British grandmother has been living on death row in Texas.

Police wait to quiz knifing victims
Police hope to speak to the five victims of a frenzied knife attack today to learn what triggered the bloody assault.