Assault by hooded cyclist leads to frustration with police
Jean-Luc Marshall has suffered two blood infections, ongoing concussion symptoms and has a scar running the length of his head after being attacked by a stranger on his way home from a night on the town.
Marshall, 40, was walking home after a night out drinking with workmates when a hooded man on a bike ran a red light at the intersection of Victoria and Montreal streets on September 15.
Marshall called out to the man, who then rammed him with his bike. Marshall tried to walk away but was head-butted by the man and knocked out cold. He was found shortly after and spent the night in hospital.
Two days later, Marshall’s head had swollen dramatically and he had a high temperature and was struggling to speak. He was taken back to hospital where health professionals found he had suffered two blood infections because of his head injuries. Doctors had to cut into his scalp to remove the infections, leaving him with staples from ear to ear, and he spent another 11 days in hospital.
His partner, Genevieve Robinson, said the incident was ‘‘life changing’’. Marshall had already had a month off work and would likely spend at least another two weeks at home recovering from the ongoing effects of his injuries.
He was suffering from spins, had challenges with spatial awareness and concentration issues, and was constantly tired, Robinson said.
‘‘The whole experience has been bloody awful to be honest. It’s changed his life basically.’’ Robinson said she was concerned police were not doing enough to find the hooded man on the bike. She suggested police had CCTV footage of the alleged offender riding through the intersection, but not of the assault itself.
A police spokeswoman said officers had assessed a ‘‘very grainy, poor-quality image of a person with no identifiable features’’. It was deemed to have ‘‘no investigative value’’ as the incident itself was not captured.
The police investigation is ongoing.
Robinson said police should have released the footage to the public to provide a better chance of the attacker being found.
‘‘It’s a month down the track . . . it just really annoys me.
‘‘The police should have made this image public no matter how grainy. If someone robs a dairy with a screwdriver their face goes public – my partner nearly died and the police have not made it public. I don’t understand.’’
She said she wanted more transparency from police.
‘‘How can we as a community feel safe if the information is not there. This guy needs to be held accountable in some way.’’
Marshall described the alleged attacker as a Ma¯ori man, who was wearing a cap and a hoodie. He was unsure of his age and build.
Anyone with any information can contact their local police station or give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.