Police confirm marina incident
SIX days after a woman was attacked – and a day after the NT News posted CCTV vision of the incident – police have issued a statement confirming an assault at Bayview Marina last Sunday
The incident happened when two teenage girls allegedly trespassed on to the Marina and tried to attack a schoolmate before her mother intervened to protect her daughter.
The video shows the woman being repeatedly punched, struck with a mobile phone and a sharp-edged crushed aluminium can, and spat on in the vicious and sustained attack.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said weak laws were leaving police exposed.
“This is yet another example of Labor failing Territorians and proof the Gunner government continues to put the rights of offenders above the rights of community safety,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Labor’s priorities are all wrong. Weak laws leave police with little choice in how they respond – Labor has handcuffed police instead of handcuffing criminals.”
The victim, Karen Orchard, who has since moved to Queensland, had a large clump of hair ripped from her scalp, suffered a black eye and a broken finger that would require surgery.
Her husband, Sam Henger, said instead of addressing the incident with the teenagers, police drove them home to their parents.
Territory Duty Superintendent Drew Slape confirmed the April 3 incident: “The youths were left in the care of responsible adults and are assisting police with inquiries.”
Investigations continue.