19 Apr 2012

Teenager charged with assaulting elderly man

12:30 pm on 19 April 2012

A 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with assaulting an elderly man at his home in Waikanae Beach on the Kapiti Coast on Saturday.

Police say the alleged attacker knocked the man to the ground after he found the teenager and a group of his friends who were drunk and climbing trees on his property.

The 87-year-old was unable to break his fall and was left with a broken cheekbone and lacerations.

Police say members of the local community identified the alleged attacker who has now been arrested by the police in Tauranga and charged with injuring with reckless disregard for safety.

He appeared in the Tauranga Youth Court on Wednesday.