Man arrested but no charge in assault case

POLICE arrested a 23-yearold man yesterday in relation to the bashing of a 48-year-old Launceston man this week.

Detective Inspector Philippa Burk said that police were investigating whether other offenders and suspects were involved.

She said that the two men were not related but were known to each other and would not speculate on whether the matter was drug-related.

The arrest came after police raided a unit in Allwinton Court, Waverley, yesterday morning.

The unit was declared a crime scene and the stairway leading to the front door was covered with a blue tarpaulin prior to the arrival of Forensic Science Services Tasmania officers.

It is understood the man lives at the unit with at least one other person.

The victim, who was found barefoot on the Tasman Highway at Waverley in the early hours of Wednesday, remained in the intensive care unit at the Launceston General Hospital in a sedated condition and has not been able to speak to police.

“My hope is that we will be able to lay charges without having to wait to talk to the victim,” Insp Burk said.

However, no charges were laid yesterday.

She said detectives had done amazing work on the case but there was still a massive amount of work to be done.

Police had been interviewing witnesses, obtaining statements and reviewing CCTV footage, but she would not elaborate on what led to the critical case.

“It’s quite complex and intricate so we have just been piecing it together,” she said.

On Wednesday the man was unidentified for several hours until his 1984 yellow Mazda utility was found in nearby Waverley Lake.

Insp Burk said it was believed the utility travelled to Prospect, West Launceston, Invermay and Waverley on the night of the assault.

She said a number of searches were conducted yesterday. Insp Burk would not comment on whether the victim was known to police.

Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information should contact Launceston CIB on 131 444 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopper stas.com.au. breakthrough in the