A man who is in a very serious condition in Wellington Hospital after being attacked in the central city in the early hours of this morning is said to be a member of the gay community. Police say the victim, in his 40s, was assaulted between 5.30AM and 6.15AM in Boulcott St. Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller of the Wellington CIB says a man left work on The Terrace at 5.30AM and walked through Gilmore Terrace to Boulcott St. "The victim got halfway down Boulcott Street outside the Baptist Church where there appears an altercation has taken place. As a result, the victim has received serious injuries." The man, who is reported to be a Radio New Zealand employee, was taken to Wellington Hospital and has undergone surgery. He remains in a serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit. "We would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the vicinity of Boulcott Street between 5:30am and 6:15am," Miller says. He says the victim was wearing a grey long sleeved striped shirt, faded blue jeans, a grey cotton jacket and a black adidas backpack. A friend says the victim is a member of the gay community. "I am confident the attack would not have been provoked given the gentle nature of our friend however I do not have any further information other than what... is in the article attached so there seems to be nothing to indicate whether this was a gay attack or not," he says. Police and the man's friends are urging anyone with any information on this incident to come forward and contact police on (04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 10th December 2011 - 7:28pm