23 Feb 2009

Pregnant woman kicked, punched during brawl

8:08 pm on 23 February 2009

Police say a pregnant woman was kicked and punched to the ground during a street brawl in Wairoa at the weekend.

About 40 people had been at two parties before a fight broke out between two groups early on Sunday. Several people required medical treatment.

Three men appeared in Gisborne District Court on Monday on assault and violence charges relating to the brawl. They were remanded on bail for two weeks.

Detective Inspector Mick Lander says the pregnant woman was one of a group of females trying to extract members of their family from the brawl when they were also attacked.

Mr Lander says it is a sad day when a group of males think it is acceptable to kick and punch a female to the ground - yet alone a pregnant female.

Meanwhile, the condition of a man transferred to Waikato Hospital on Sunday night in a critical condition with head injuries has improved.

He is now considered to be in a serious but stable condition.