Witnesses sought to assault during ‘tradies day’ mayhem

Police continue to look for witnesses to an assault in Timaru early Christmas Eve that left a man requiring hospital treatment.

The assault was one of three dealt with by police on ‘‘tradies day’’ - an event run by bars to celebrate the end of the year for tradespeople, overnight Wednesday.

Senior Sergeant Antony Callon said yesterday that witnesses to the assault, where a man was ‘‘knocked out cold’’ outside the ANZ Bank, on Stafford St, at 2.30am on Thursday, were still being sought.

A St John spokesperson said the victim was taken to Timaru Hospital with moderate injuries.

Callon said a suspect was spoken to but inquiries were ongoing.

Police are asking anyone with information about the assault to call 105, or to visit the police station, in Timaru.

Callon said ‘‘as always’’ it was disappointing to see a spike in assaults, especially at this time of the year.

‘‘If you’re going to go out and socialise don’t ruin it for everyone else by getting intoxicated and picking a fight,’’ Callon said.

‘‘If you can’t behave like a responsible adult then don’t go out,’’ he said.

Wednesday night started for police in Timaru with a minor disorder at the Speight’s Ale House, at 11.30pm, where police advised a man to leave the premises for ‘‘pushing and shoving’’. The man left, Callon said.

Callon said inquiries were also ongoing after a man approached police with a bleeding forehead saying he had been assaulted at the Sail and Anchor bar at 1am on Thursday.

A 20-year-old man also assaulted an employee at the Sail and Anchor bar at 12.45am on Thursday. The man was arrested and released in the morning with a summons to court, Callon said.

‘‘If you can’t behave like a responsible adult then don’t go out.’’

Senior Sergeant Antony Callon