30 Dec 2013

Fifth arrest after tourists attacked

5:29 pm on 30 December 2013

A fifth person has been arrested in relation to an attack on two German tourists in Whakatane on Boxing Day.

The 15-year-old boy will appear, along with the other four accused, in the Whakatane District Court on Tuesday facing joint charges of aggravated robbery.

A 14-year-old boy, two men aged 17 and 18, and a 17-year-old woman have appeared in court and were remanded in custody.

Police said they would continue to oppose bail for the group.

The tourists, aged 18 and 19, suffered broken teeth, cuts and bruises in the attack on 26 December.

They have been discharged from hospital and police said the tourists are overwhelmed by the generosity shown by New Zealanders.