"Fresh appeal for information on assault in Palmerston North last year"

Attributable to Constable Mike Skates, Manawatu Police:

Manawatu Police continuing to make inquiries into an assault which happened last year in Palmerston North are making a fresh appeal for sightings of a vehicle involved.

Late on the evening of Saturday 12 August 2017, a male was walking with a group of friends and stopped to talk to the occupants of a small SUV-type vehicle parked opposite The Office Bar on Main Street.

The male’s friends carried on walking, only to turn back and see the vehicle leaving at speed towards The Square, and their friend lying flat on the pavement.

The victim suffered serious head injuries and was at the time put into a drug-induced coma at Wellington Hospital.

He is recovering, but has no memory of the incident, and has lost his sense of taste and smell.

A witness saw the male front-seat passenger of the vehicle punch the victim once.

Witnesses spoken to by Police have indicated that the driver of the vehicle was a young, thin, Caucasian female with distinctive white-blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

There were two male passengers in the vehicle.

Although varying descriptions of the type of vehicle were given to Police, they all refer to a small SUV or 4x4, which had a spare wheel mount on the rear door – however the wheel itself was missing.

Police have spoken with a number of witnesses and followed up on information, but we are again appealing to anyone with information on what happened, to get in touch.

Anyone who may have seen this vehicle, or knows who was involved in the assault, is asked to contact Palmerston North Police on (06) 350 3860.

Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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