December 15, 2008

February court date for 'wolf mask' group

Youths arrested over a ?wolf mask? disturbance at Charteris Bay last month are heading for a February 2 status hearing, and one 17-year-old is staying in custody.

Tony Tonihi, unemployed, was remanded in custody today by Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave to join the co-accused at that hearing, which usually sets a date for a defended hearing before a judge-alone.

The others are being remanded to the same date. Tonihi has been held in custody since his arrest after bail was refused at a hearing last month.

They face charges involving offensive weapons, using threatening language, and intentionally damaging a vehicle.

The weapons are said to be a hammer, wheelbrace, and wooden bat.

The incident happened at Charteris Bay on November 14, when the police say members of the public confronted a carload of youths allegedly causing trouble near Orton Bradley Park.

A witness said one of the youths in the car was wearing a rubber wolf mask.

Police said the group drove off after members of the public armed with sticks and golf clubs advanced on them.

The car crashed and rolled near Teddington and the four youths were tracked into the hills by police dogs and then arrested.