15 September 2005

Destiny NZ Leader Thwarts Knife Attack in Otahuhu

Destiny NZ leader Richard Lewis has helped thwart a violent, alcohol fuelled gang attack yesterday afternoon (4.00 pm) by at least 12 youths in Otahuhu, some of them brandishing knives and hammers.

Lewis, a former Senior Sergeant in South Auckland, was driving through the township in a Destiny New Zealand campaign convoy when the team witnessed the gang chasing two other Polynesian school students.

The teenage gang cornered the youths in a nearby Subway outlet and proceeded to beat them over the head with steel chairs and a table. Mr Lewis restrained the offenders as Customers fled the Subway outlet and the police were called.

The violence did not stop though, as the gang moved up the street abusing pedestrians and kicking over signs. They were followed by the Destiny New Zealand team from a distance to ensure public safety. One of the youths brandishing a knife, threatened Mr Lewis and his team and several other youths brandished hammers.

Six police cars arrived minutes later to arrest the gang members and take them into custody. Lewis says the incident could have ended in serious injury if he and his team were not there to intervene.

Mr Lewis had high praise for the police who attended the scene and made several arrests.

"This wasn't exactly what we were anticipating on the campaign trail but the old instincts kicked in, we're just thankful nobody was hurt," he added.

ENDS