17 December, 2011

Christmas & New Year break


The class will close for a short break.


Thursday 22nd of December: training as usual


Monday 26th of December: class closed, no training

Thursday 29th of December: class closed, no training


Monday 2nd of January 2012: training as usual

Self-defence in the News - No. 30

Elderly man belts thief with golf club

Elderly man belts thief with golf club

Jessica Craven From: Herald Sun December 16, 2011 8:54AM

AN ELDERLY man fought off a man with a golf club during a terrifying aggravated burglary in Berwick on Tuesday night.
Police have been told the man was walking with his 73-year-old wife into their Harkaway Road home about 9.30pm when an unknown offender followed them into the property.

The man, who was armed with a knife, demanded money from the couple before pushing the woman onto a couch.

The elderly man picked up a golf club and struck the offender on the upper and lower back and arm, causing him to drop the knife.

The offender picked up the knife and fled, leaving the woman with minor injuries.

The male offender is described as being of Asian appearance, aged 16 to 19 years, about 177cm tall with a slim build.

He was wearing a hooded top, black track pants and dirty white runners.

Police have released an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.

The elderly man will speak to the media about his ordeal later today.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.




Aggravated burglary on elderly Berwick couple

Aggravated burglary on elderly Berwick couple





Friday, 16 December 2011 05:46

Casey CIU detectives are appealing for witnesses following an aggravated burglary on an elderly couple in Berwick on Tuesday night.

Police have been told the victims, a 79-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman, were walking into their Harkaway Road home about 9.30pm when an unknown offender followed them into the property.

The unknown offender, armed with a knife, demanded money from the couple before pushing the woman on to a couch.

The male victim has then picked up a golf club and struck the offender on the upper and lower back and arm, causing him to drop the knife.

The offender then picked up the knife and fled the property in an unknown direction.

The woman suffered minor injuries during the incident.

The male offender is described as being of Asian appearance, aged 16 to 19 years, about 177cm tall with a slim build.

He was wearing a hooded top, black track pants and dirty white runners.

Police have release an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au


05 November, 2011

Good-bye Oxford Street


Click here for full-size verson.

Left to right:

Neil, Sam, Gaynor, Ange, Mike, Steve, Daniel, Jasper, John, Rory, and Anthony.

Oct 2011 - Photographer: Simon

31 October, 2011

New location

Tonight was the last class in the hall at Oxford Street.

Thursday's class, 3rd of November, will be at the new hall. Get in touch for details.

Self-defence in the News - No. 29

Publican fights off attacker

Publican fights off attacker

JO MCKENZIE-MCLEAN

05:00 30/10/2011




BAT-MAN: The Rising Sun Tavern, where a publican fought off a bat-wielding attacker.


A Nelson publican is being hailed a hero after taking on a bat-wielding assailant who had allegedly beaten a middle-aged patron unconscious outside his pub in the early hours of yesterday.

Martin Coram, publican at the Rising Sun Tavern, was struck in the face with a cricket bat when he stepped in to save the 56-year-old patron, being hit with the bat as he lay senseless on the ground.

But the plucky publican refused to back down, exchanging blows with and wrestling the bat off the attacker, who then fled.

An ambulance rushed the patron to Nelson Hospital, where he was treated for head injuries and a possible broken arm.

Nelson CIB Detective Sergeant Mark Kaveney said the patron was attacked as he left the Waimea Rd tavern at 1.25am to get a taxi home.

The man was hit in the head with a cricket bat and knocked unconscious, Kaveney said. The attack continued as he lay on the ground, he said.

Coram, hearing noises, looked out the door and saw the patron lying on the ground and raced to protect him.

"The attacker swung around and smashed (Coram) with the bat," Kaveney said.

"He has then tackled the attacker. There was a stoush and they traded blows. He managed to wrestle the bat from him and the attacker has then run off." Coram's actions were "extremely brave".

"Anyone who gets blows to the head – and this guy [the patron] had a large laceration – there is potential for death, and that's what was happening. It had the potential to be absolutely catastrophic.

"I think it was very brave of the person concerned [Coram] to risk their life to save another person like that. This person wasn't known to him, and just the fact it was dark, raining, he [the attacker] had a weapon and [Coram] didn't know what that weapon was... he can seriously pat himself on the back. He just challenged him and dived out there." The attack was unprovoked, and "very disturbing", Kaveney said.

The 56-year-old patron had "had words" with a man inside the tavern earlier in the evening, Kaveney said. The victim had been "advising" the other man about his behaviour, he said.

"There had been a bit of to-ing and fro-ing but nothing major," Kaveney said.

Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio said Coram was a "hero".

"It's fantastic he had the courage to come to the aid of the victim. If he wasn't there it could have turned out a lot worse. There is no doubt he is a hero. He did something courageous and selfless." Coram was unable to talk to Sunday News yesterday. His family said he was recovering from the incident.

The publican and the 56-year-old patron were treated at Nelson Hospital and both had since been discharged.

A 34-year-old man will appear at Nelson District Court tomorrow facing charges of serious assault.




CORDON: Officer Marty Bagnall collects evidence at the scene of the incident.


- Sunday News

15 October, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 28

Teen escapes attempted car jacking


Teen escapes attempted car jacking

TIM DONOGHUE

13:15 15/10/2011


Palmerston North police are investigating an attempted car jacking of a vehicle driven by a young man in the city, just after midnight.

A lone 17-year-old motorist was driving along Ferguson St, between Fitzroy and Ruahine streets, when a a man stepped out on to the road in front of the car.

The young driver slowed and stopped the car.

Police said a second man then approached the vehicle from the rear.

"A third person (a man) then approached the driver's door opening it and threatening the driver to get out of the car.

"A struggle ensued during which the motorist received a minor facial injury before he managed to pull his door closed and accelerate away."

Police described the three offenders as men in their late teens or early twenties.

One of the men may have sustained a leg or arm injury as the car drove away, police said.

They want to hear from anyone who was in the Ferguson Street area at the time of the offence.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Johnny Oram of the Palmerston North Police on 06 351-3600.


- The Dominion Post

01 September, 2011

7:00pm start time


Classes now 7:00pm start.

Still Mondays & Thursdays.

Still two hours minimum.

21 August, 2011

Thursday, 25 August - 8:00pm start

There's a children's disco being held in the hall (finishes 8pm), so class will start around eight on Thursday.

If you turn up before eight o'clock, you will be forced to drink Fanta and dance to Justin Bieber.

15 August, 2011

Class Cancelled - Monday 15 August

Class cancelled reluctantly -- due to heavy snow and impassable roads.

Hopefully will see you all Thursday.

Self-defence in the News - No. 27

VICTIM KILLS LOCKED-ON PITBULL

VICTIM KILLS LOCKED-ON PITBULL

KEITH LYNCH

11/08/2011

A Christchurch man used a knife to kill a pitbull which had locked on to his arm, police say.

Police went to a Bower Ave, New Brighton property about 9.30pm on Tuesday after the pitbull was stabbed in the neck.

Sergeant Stephen McDaniel said the dog had been startled by a few cats fighting in the street. "The male [then] possibly bumped into or knocked the dog which resulted in the dog biting the male's jersey. As he's tried to swing the dog off his jersey the dog has re-bitten his arm."

The animal's jaws locked on and he was forced to ask the dog's owner for permission to kill the dog.

"The dog was killed by the male with a knife. The owner was present, obviously upset ... It was pretty messy, but no further action will be taken by us," McDaniel said.

The 47-year-old man was taken to Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries to his arm and stomach, a St John spokesman said.

A Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman said he was treated and discharged from the emergency department.


- The Press

28 July, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 26

Burglary victim stabs intruder


Burglary victim stabs intruder


MICHAEL FOX

11:47 28/07/2011

A burglar was stabbed by the 15-year-old occupant of a West Auckland property he was caught in overnight.

Detective senior sergeant Stan Brown says police understand a father and his 15-year-old son woke to noises on their property just after 1am.

The two then disturbed a 19-year-old man they discovered, he says.

"They went to investigate and located an intruder in their garage. A scuffle ensued during which time the 15-year-old son stabbed the intruder."

The alleged offender is in Auckland Hospital recovering from stab wounds to the torso.

A St John ambulance spokeswoman says they were called by police to the incident at 1.15am after being told the teenager had been stabbed.

His injuries are not considered to be life threatening.

Police have interviewed father and son and investigations continue.

- Auckland Now

25 July, 2011

Class Cancelled - Monday 25th July

Due to road conditions.

Hopefully back to normal Thursday.

21 July, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 25

Mother steps in to save son in hammer attack


Mother steps in to save son in hammer attack




Wednesday Jul 20, 2011

Andrea Windleborn did not hesitate when she saw her son being attacked by two men with hammers - she waded in to try and save him.

Carl McGahan, 22, disturbed the two offenders attempting to break into a shed at their home in the Coromandel town of Waihi, on Monday night.

Ms Windleborn, 44, told the Waikato Times she acted on instinct when she ran between the men to help her son.

"I saw these two guys attacking him. I went flying out to protect him even though they were bigger than me.'' Ms Windleborn said.

She stood between the men and yelled at them to stop, but it did not stop one of them hitting her with a hammer.

"The next thing the other man came at my head from side on while I was busy trying to get the other man away from my son.''

Ms Windleborn and her son were treated at hospital but are now at home recovering.

Police picked up one of the men but are still looking for the other.

Eli Te Moananui of Paeroa, 20, appeared in Hamilton District Court yesterday on two charges of injuring with intent and one of aggravated burglary. He was remanded in custody.

- NZPA

20 July, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 24

Woman fights off attack near Te Papa

Woman fights off attack near Te Papa

09:10 18/07/2011

Police are seeking information relating to an incident at Chaffers Marina near Te Papa where a young female was allegedly indecently assaulted early Saturday morning.

The female was trying to find her group of friends when she was grabbed from behind by a man who she described as being taller than 1.8 metres.

Detective Constable Iain Burns, of Lower Hutt CIB, said the young woman was able to fight off the offender and make her escape.

Police are seeking information from anyone in the area who may have seen a young woman wearing a pink backpack or noticed any suspicious activity.

Anyone with information should contact the Lower Hutt police on 560 2600 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Dominion Post

30 June, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 23

Burglars 'can be stabbed' in Britain

Burglars 'can be stabbed' in Britain

IN THE CLEAR: Britain's Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke.



Last updated 09:52 30/06/2011


An individual who stabs a burglar while defending themselves, or their property will not face prosecution, Kenneth Clarke, Britain's Justice Secretary, has said, promising any lingering doubts over the controversial issue will be clarified in a new law.

"If an old lady finds she has got an 18-year-old burglar in her house and she picks up a kitchen knife and sticks it in him, she has not committed a criminal offence," he said in a BBC interview.

Clarke was reacting to the high-profile case of a suspected burglar who was stabbed to death during a break-in at a house in Salford last week. The victim was one of a gang of four men, some wearing balaclavas.

The householder was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Clarke said new legislation being prepared by the government would make it "absolutely clear" that individuals were allowed to use "reasonable force to defend ourselves to protect our homes, or both."

He said the law needed urgent clarification to make sure no one who took those steps will be prosecuted or convicted in future.

Under the 2008 Criminal Justice Act homeowners in England can use "reasonable force" to protect themselves against intruders without fear of prosecution, but Clarke said there had been "constant doubt" over issue and its interpretation by the courts which had to be removed.

"We will make it quite clear you can hit the burglar with a poker if he is in the house and (that) you have a perfect defence if you do so, and given the doubts that have been expressed, we are going to clarify that," he said.

However, Clarke said ordinary members of the public will not be able to take the law into their own hands.

"What they are not entitled to do is go running down the road chasing them or to shoot them in the back ... or to get their friends together to beat them up."

Prime Minister David Cameron said last week the government would put the thorny issue of self-defence for homeowners and shopkeepers "beyond doubt."

- Reuters


21 June, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 22

Girl grabbed on way to school


Girl grabbed on way to school


Published: 3:53PM Tuesday June 21, 2011 Source: Newstalk ZB




Auckland police are patrolling the Ponsonby area after a man grabbed the arm of a 12-year-old school girl this morning and made a lewd suggestion.

The girl aimed a swift kick to his groin, causing him to loosen his hold and she ran off.

The incident took place in Douglas Street at around 7.45am.

The man is described as being scrawny, possibly in his 40s, of unknown ethnicity but with an orange hue to his complexion.

He's short and had long grey or silvery hair and was wearing a grey sweatshirt with large pockets on the front.




Girl kicks sex predator in groin


Girl kicks sex predator in groin


3:36 PM Tuesday Jun 21, 2011

A 12-year-old girl kicked a man in the groin to escape his sexual advances in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby today.

The man approached the girl as she walked to school along Douglas Street before 8am.

Sergeant Paul Black, of Ponsonby police, said the man allegedly grabbed the student by the arm and made a lewd suggestion before she kicked him in the groin and ran to school.

Police were called by the school deputy principal and searched in vain for the man.

He was described as of unknown ethnicity, scrawny, possibly in his 40s, about 165cm tall with long grey or silver hair and with an orange hue to his complexion.

He was wearing a grey sweatshirt with large pockets on the front.

Mr Black appealed to anyone who knew the man or had information about someone fitting the description to contact police or phone Crimestoppers.

- NZPA

20 June, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 21

Green Island woman knees intruder in groin


Green Island woman knees intruder in groin


Home » News » Dunedin
By Hamish McNeilly on Mon, 20 Jun 2011
News: Dunedin Crime



A balaclava-clad man was kneed in the groin after surprising a woman at her Green Island home early yesterday.

The woman was returning to her Thomson St home shortly after 1am when she was confronted at her front door by a male intruder who grabbed her by the throat, Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said.

"She defended herself by kneeing him in the groin," he said.

The man, who was wearing dark clothes and a balaclava, ran off.

Police patrols in the area failed to locate the man.

Snr Sgt Aitken praised the actions of the woman, who was left shaken from the incident.

"She did a fantastic job in protecting herself," Snr Sgt Aitken said.

Police believe the man, who was between 170cm and 180cm tall and of medium build, had been trying to gain access to her property at the time she returned home.

Snr Sgt Aitken said police were also investigating another reported case of a balaclava-clad man in dark clothing at Green Island School on Friday night.

He reportedly accosted two youths.

17 June, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 20

Gun terror: 'I'll shoot her'


Gun terror: 'I'll shoot her'


By Michael Dickison

5:30 AM Friday Jun 17, 2011






Security camera footage of the robbery. Photo / Supplied



A shopkeeper used a hockey stick to fend off an armed gunman who was holding a pistol to the head of a customer, the mother of "two beautiful, young children".

As the robber demanded cash from the till - "Give me money or I'll shoot her" - the dairy owner had other ideas.

Jayesh Amin, owner of the Farm Cove Superette in East Auckland, said he could think only of saving the woman, a regular customer who he knew had two children.

Mr Amin was preparing to close the shop at 7.45pm on Wednesday when his last customer approached the counter with a couple of icecreams.

At the same moment, a young hooded man ran in, grabbed the woman by the neck, shoved a pistol at her head and yelled: "Give me money or I'll shoot her."

For a couple of seconds, Mr Amin stood frozen. "I was shocked because it happened so fast. I didn't understand what was happening."

Another man came in with a metal bar and told the first offender: "Go ahead, bro, go ahead, bro. Shoot her, bro."

As the second man lunged across the counter, Mr Amin was too rattled to notice that a third robber had followed the others into the store.

Mr Amin took $600 from the till and held it up.

"I offered the money. I told them to leave the woman alone and take the money: 'Don't do anything silly - just leave the woman'."

But instead of reaching for the money, the three young men yelled further threats at the female customer.

"They should have come to me to take the money but they didn't," Mr Amin said.

"It was very hard to know what to do because I had shown them the money. My first priority was to save the woman. She was local and I knew she had two beautiful young children."

So Mr Amin reached behind the counter for a hockey stick he had there and swung wildly at the three men.

He struck one, then ran around the counter towards the man with the gun.

The three men scurried out the front door.

"I think they got a little scared," Mr Amin said.

Police were quickly on the scene - Mr Amin's wife saw the incident on a security camera monitor in their upstairs residence, and called 111.

Two teenagers have been arrested for the robbery and appeared in court yesterday. Two others - one the driver of a getaway car - are being sought.

Last night, Mr Amin said he was still shaking because of the ordeal.

"I'm so tired. I couldn't sleep all night," he said. "From yesterday morning at seven, I haven't slept. I was so scared."

The drama did not end with the robbers running out the door.

Mr Amin chased them outside and called for help. The owner and chef from the next-door restaurant came to his aid.

The three robbers then ran to a car driven by a fourth man and sped away - only to be pursued by a member of the public.

The man chased the offenders until they stopped the car, got out and one pointed the gun at him.

As the man tried to flee, his rear windscreen shattered.

Police say they are exploring several possible reasons for the window breaking, and have not confirmed that it was caused by a gunshot.

The four offenders abandoned the car, and police later found an air pistol in it.

The two men arrested are aged 17 and 18 and appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday on charges of assault with intent to rob, threatening to kill and commission of a crime with a firearm. Further charges may follow.

Police said that the store owner and the customer escaped serious injury but had been extremely shaken by events and were being counselled by Victim Support.

Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander said criminal investigation branch staff had examined the premises and were following "very positive" leads regarding the identity of the two missing suspects.

By Michael Dickison

15 June, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 19

Sth Dunedin storekeeper foils robbery


Sth Dunedin storekeeper foils robbery



By Matthew Haggart on Tue, 14 Jun 2011
News: Dunedin




Proprietors of the 10 O'Clock Dairy (from left) Vhiyou Song and Ge Song speak to police about an alleged attempted armed robbery at the Dunedin store last night, as witness Cory Craik waits beside the trio. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.


A south Dunedin shopkeeper "chased off" an alleged offender who presented a knife and demanded money at his Prince Albert Rd dairy last night, police say.
Dunedin police are investigating the attempted robbery - the fourth instance where a "skinny" male caucasian has demanded money from shopkeepers around the city in the past week.

The 10 O'Clock Dairy shopkeeper Ge Song said a man walked into the store and pulled a knife on him.

"One guy walk in; taken knife out and he want money," Mr Song said.

There had been another attempted robbery in the area recently, at the Stadium Store in Victoria St.

"I don't give him no money," Mr Song said.

Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said the man had been chased off the premises after he allegedly presented a knife and demanded money about 9.20pm.

Police were investigating whether the man, "a male caucasian of skinny build and dressed in dark clothing", was linked to other recent incidents around Dunedin, Snr Sgt Brown said.

Police had cordoned off the area.

The BP service station in Mornington and the Green Island Post and Paper were robbed last week.

A man had also demanded cash from a shop worker at the Stadium Store, but had walked out when he was refused money, last Monday evening.

The offenders in these cases have been described by police as thin caucasians, wearing dark glasses, hoodies, and jeans.



Dairy owner dishes out super soakings


Dairy owner dishes out super soakings


By John Lewis on Wed, 15 Jun 2011
News: Dunedin



The owner of the 10 O'Clock Dairy in St Kilda, Ge Song, with the large water gun he has used to chase would-be robbers from his store. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.


A man arrested after allegedly attempting to rob a St Kilda dairy on Monday night should be counting his blessings the owner did not have time to pull out his water gun from under the counter and dish out some of his own justice.
The 10 O'Clock Dairy owner Ge Song said his store in Prince Albert Rd, Dunedin, had been the scene of five attempted robberies since he bought it four years ago.

But thanks to the large "super-soaker" water gun and a large stick under his counter, he had never had to give money to would-be robbers.

Mr Song said he did not have time to use the water gun on Monday night, but he had done so to several previous attempted robbers, soaking them.

"They no say anything. I just wet them and they run.

"I sad I no get to use my water [gun on Monday night]."

Mr Song said he had been threatened at the store many times in recent years, and when a man entered his store on Monday night with a knife, demanding money, he laughed as he sounded an alarm in the shop and told the man to leave.

The man ran, but had he stayed a moment longer, he would have been soaked to the skin.

Mr Song said he refused to be intimidated by people threatening to rob his store.

Two men were arrested on Monday night for their alleged part in the attempted robbery, after a member of the public saw a man leave the store and climb into a van.

The witness followed the van and contacted Dunedin police.

Last night, police arrested a third man, a 19-year-old cleaner, and charged him with aggravated robbery for his alleged role in the incident.

He also faces charges related to robberies at the Mornington BP service station on June 5 and Green Island Post and Paper two days later.

He is expected to appear in the Dunedin District Court today.

Detective Sergeant Rob Hanna, of the Dunedin CIB, said police were not ruling out the possibility of further arrests.

• A 19-year-old unemployed man and a 21-year-old labourer received a registrar's adjournment yesterday on an indictably-laid charge of attempting to rob a male while armed with an offensive weapon.

They have interim name suppression and were remanded on bail to June 28.

- john.lewis@odt.co.nz

03 June, 2011

Monday (Queen's Birthday) - 6th of June

Yes -- class is on, usual time.

31 May, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 18





Karate student floors attackers


Karate woman floors thugs


Karate student floors attackers

STACEY WOOD

05:00 30/05/2011

A young waitress used her karate skills to fight off two attackers as she walked home from a night shift in central Wellington, earning praise from police.

The woman, 18, has studied martial arts for seven years. She elbowed one man in the chest, then punched his accomplice in the stomach.

"We are well and truly impressed. Often we don't encourage people to fight back, because it can make things worse, but she acted with a great degree of bravery and she's done a great job," Detective Sergeant Shane Dye said.

"And she's not a big girl, either."

The woman was walking home past the old Amalgamated Video store in Taranaki St about 6.15 on Saturday morning, when she noticed a man leaning against a car, smoking a cigarette and watching her. Mr Dye said the woman told police the man grabbed her from behind as she passed.

"She's been doing karate for about seven years, so she elbowed him in the chest and stomped on his foot.

"She was then attacked by a second male who she hadn't seen, and he began to pull at her handbag – then she punched him in the stomach."

The woman fell to the ground as she fought off her assailants, and the first man came at her again while she was down.

"She kicked out at him and then managed to get to her feet and run away."

The first attacker was about 1.7 to 1.75 metres tall, about 30 years old, with light skin and "on the tubby side rather than muscular". He was wearing a smoky-green hoodie with a cream-coloured logo, baggy dark-blue jeans, and had close-cropped, slightly balding black hair, with stubble on his face.

The car he was leaning on was an older-style maroon four-door sedan.

The second man was tall and skinny with olive skin, about 35 years old, with long, dark, oily hair down to his shoulders, and a moustache and beard.

He was wearing a black zip-up jacket and jeans, and woollen gloves.

Senior karate instructor Sensei Rajesh Ravji was pleased to hear that the woman had used her skills to escape the attackers.

"When someone is bigger than you, it is always a difficult thing to combat, but that's the beauty of martial arts, you learn how. Those attackers would have been surprised to have someone come back at them like that."

- The Dominion Post



Karate woman floors thugs

7:23 AM Monday May 30, 2011

Two thugs got more than they bargained for when they attacked a young Wellington woman as she walked home from a nightshift at the weekend.

The 18-year-old was walking along Taranaki St, near the Salvation Army store and the old Amalgamated Video building, about 6.15am on Saturday when she noticed a man watching her. When she passed him, he attempted to grab her and pull her towards his vehicle, a maroon four-door car.

They found they were no match for the waitress who floored the pair by using her martial arts skills.

Police said they were impressed with the young woman's bravery.

"Luckily the victim has several years of karate experience and was able to fight the offender off, however, a second man attempted to grab her handbag over her shoulder. She managed to punch him before she fell to the ground," Detective Sergeant Shane Dye said.

Detective Sergeant Dye said the victim luckily managed to fend off her attackers and make her escape.

"This was a very scary attack and has left the victim extremely shaken, leaving her with a knee injury."


Police want to speak to a witness who walked past the victim as she was approaching the Taranaki Street/Vivian Street intersection.

"We believe this man may have walked towards the offenders and may hold helpful information. The victim would have been visibly upset at this time and was running south on Taranaki Street. I appeal to that person to come forward and contact police," Mr Dye said.

The first offender is described as fair-skinned of solid build, around 173cm, and about 30 years old. He was wearing a green hooded sweatshirt and dark blue baggy jeans.

The second offender was very tall and thinner than the first offender with darker coloured skin, aged around 35 years with a thick black moustache and beard, with shoulder-length straight black hair. He was wearing dark-coloured woollen gloves.

Anyone with any information should phone Wellington CIB on 04 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- Herald Online, NZPA

27 May, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 17

Hero schoolkids thwart girl's abduction

Hero schoolkids thwart girl's abduction

BERNARD CARPINTER

27/05/2011


EVA BRADLEY/ The Dominion Post


YOUNG HEROES: Liam Mataira, left, and Ben Hayllar were on their way, with friend Tama McKenzie, to Hastings Boys' High School on Wednesday when the three stepped in to prevent the attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl. "They did real well,'' said Sergeant Eden Sewell. "It took a bit of courage.''



Three Hastings schoolboys rescued a 12-year-old girl by threatening to attack two men who were trying to drag her away.

"The other boys told them that if they didn't go away right now they would get a hiding," Hastings Boys' High School pupil Liam Mataira, 15, said yesterday, describing the rescue he had made with friends Ben Hayllar and Tama McKenzie.

"We just jumped in front and pulled her away. The men were over six feet tall. I was taller than them, but they were quite stocky.

"They just started swearing. They looked like they had been taking drugs – they were all twitchy and stuff.

"It happened fast. They could have retaliated and attacked us, but we had to do something to get that girl away before something happened."

The rescue took place in busy Karamu Rd on Wednesday morning, as the boys were on their way to school.

The girl was going to Hastings Intermediate and the boys escorted her there afterward, before continuing on to their own school.

"She was pretty shaken up; she was crying," Liam said.

Ben, also 15, said the men had used language indicating that they were affiliated to the Mongrel Mob, but he had not felt scared.

"They towered over me but I just felt an adrenaline thing. It all happened at once. I told them to go away and leave her alone."

It was strange that the incident had happened in such a public place, on the footpath of Karamu Rd, Ben said.

Yesterday, Hastings Intermediate put on a morning tea with pizza for the heroes, attended by the girl they had saved.

"She was all smiley and jumping up and down," Liam said.

Boys' High principal Robert Sturch said he would make a fuss of the boys at morning assembly today.

Sergeant Eden Sewell, of Hastings, said the boys had done the right thing.

"They did real well," he said. "It took a bit of courage on their part and prevented something a lot more serious from happening."

The police would make sure the boys received recognition for their bravery.

Two men were arrested after a similar incident in central Hastings yesterday involving a 17-year-old female.

A Hastings man, 28, appeared in Hastings District Court yesterday afternoon charged with indecent assault and another local man, 54, was being interviewed, Mr Sewell said.

- The Dominion Post

25 May, 2011

Daniel



Wing chun man Daniel and his new friend.

15 May, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 16

Fears for girls' safety as course cut

Fears for girls' safety as course cut


JESSICA SUTTON

14/05/2011



ROBERT KITCHIN/The Manawatu Standard

TAKING BACK POWER: This could be the last time these Feilding Intermediate School students practise their self-defence moves, after the Government cut funding to the national self-defence programme.



Self-defence teacher Julie Goldingham fears young girls' safety is being undermined after the Government announced it would cut funding next month to the self-defence programme she teaches.

For the past 16 years, the Girls' Self Defence project has taught more than 77,000 young women in schools throughout New Zealand, but from June 30 it will no longer be on offer.

The self-defence classes teach 12-year-old girls how to keep themselves safe from violence and sexual abuse.

It costs the Ministry of Social Development just under $400,000 to fund the programme each year, but this funding is being cut as the ministry reprioritises its spending.

Mrs Goldingham has been teaching self-defence at Feilding, Monrad, and Ross intermediate schools for 15 years and will be out of a job next month.

"We are deeply concerned that the loss of this project will undermine the safety and wellbeing of girls throughout New Zealand," she said.

"It's not just all about kicks and punches either.

"It's an intensive programme that is designed to make girls more confident in fighting back, should they find themselves in a situation."

She teaches about 1000 girls from around the central North Island every year, and is worried those she has not been able to teach will be without the skills they need.

"So many of the girls I've taught have said they have not known what to do in an abuse or violent situation before the course.

"It's scary to think the kids won't have the training to look after themselves."

Several girls have come to her and confessed they had been abused.

"About 25 per cent of girls are likely to be sexually abused before they reach the age of 16 and if they are from a small, Maori community, 30 per cent of girls have been," Mrs Goldingham said.

"It's shocking really, and those girls need to know how to fend for themselves."

Mrs Goldingham and the project's other teachers are calling for parents and the community to get onboard and fight to get the funding reinstated.

"We will be lobbying. We want everyone to write letters to the Government, to the ministry and to anyone who will listen. The more the politicians can hear our concerns, the more we have a chance of getting it back."

For more information go to wsdn.org.nz.

- Manawatu Standard

01 May, 2011

A visiting gentleman


It was great to catch up with Beau Bouzaid, with many of those attending his workshop meeting him for the first time.

During the three hour hands-on workshop he took the class through the Sil Lum Tao form, and demonstrated how we might develop and refine the true essence of wing chun.
The time seemed to pass quickly, and by the end of the night most of us had spent about five hours in the training hall with Beau.

Beau’s skill has left an impression, but something else that strikes you about Beau is how approachable and gracious he is. After the workshop he got right in amongst everyone, training and chatting.

There were 14 attendees:

Ben (Invercargill), Kezz (Dunedin), Mike (Dunedin), Warren (Wanaka), Ange (Dunedin), Simon (Dunedin), Daniel (Dunedin), Daryl (Dunedin), Chris (Dunedin), Adrian (Invercargill), Steve (Dunedin), Manami (Wanaka), Jes (Wanaka), and Anthony (Dunedin).

A couple of pictures...


Standing, from left to right: Ben, Kezz, Mike, Warren, Ange, Beau, Simon, Daniel, Daryl, Chris, Adrian, and Steve. Front: Manami (left) and Jes.
Click here for full-size version.


Anthony (left) and Beau.
Click here for full-size version.

09 April, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 15

Teen throws pot plant saves parents from knifeman

Teen throws pot plant saves parents from knifeman

07/04/2011

A frenzied knife attack on a Christchurch couple was only stopped by their teenage son hurling a pot plant at the offender, a court was told today.

Christopher Barrie Story, 20, pleaded guilty at a Christchurch District Court sitting inside Christchurch Men's Prison to two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Judge Gary MacAskill gave him a first strike warning before remanding him in custody for a pre-sentence report and sentence on June 30.

Police prosecutor Anselm Williams said the husband and wife, and their 19-year-old son, were asleep at their Hornby home when they were woken at 2.40am on February 12 by the sound of people outside the property.

They saw a man take a pot plant from outside their house and when they went out to the shared driveway they saw him back at a neighbouring property where a group were drinking. They heard the man laughing about how he had taken the plant.

The husband yelled at the group to ask why they were taking his plants, and the wife phoned the police.

Story walked towards the family and pulled out an army-style knife with a 10cm blade, which had been out of sight beneath his baggy T-shirt.

He tried to slash the husband but there was a paling fence between them and the husband dodged the blow.

The family retreated inside their property and the husband tried to shut the gate.

Story barged the gate open and began a frenzied knife attack on the wife, who was trapped behind the gate. He stabbed her six times on the upper body, while she screamed. Story said nothing during the attack.

The husband stopped that attack by grabbing Story in a headlock and they struggled and fell. The husband was stabbed through the shoulder in the fight.

When Story got up and renewed the attack, the husband kicked him in the stomach and when he fell the son threw a pot plant which hit him in the head.

The family then ran indoors to tend their wounds and call emergency services. Story waited nearby for the police to arrive.

The wife had six wounds including two to her back. One stab wound punctured her liver and she suffered muscle damage to her left shoulder and chest. She had to have surgery and was in hospital for five days. She is recovering slowly and still feels numbness. She was off work for a long time.

The husband also had an operation during two days in hospital. The knife went though his shoulder and out through his armpit, slightly piercing the side of his chest.

Story told police he lost self-control when the family told him he was worthless.

05 April, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 14

Girl, 12, fights off attacker by punching him in face

Girl, 12, fights off attacker by punching him in face

Adelaide, Australia

AdelaideNow April 04, 2011 11:04AM

A 12-YEAR-OLD girl has fought off an attacker by punching him in the face after he assaulted her in a Salisbury Park reserve.

The girl was walking alone through Jenkins Reserve at about 4.30pm yesterday when she was grabbed from behind by a man.

She managed to break free after punching the suspect in the face, and received only minor injuries.

The suspect is described by police as being age about 25, Caucasian, with a stocky build, about 175 cm tall with short black hair.

He was wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.

Police ask anyone with information or that may have seen a man acting suspiciously near Jenkins Reserve to call BankSA Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.sa.crimestoppers.com.au

29 March, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 13

Stabbed cabbie calls for taxi screens

"Stabbed cabbie calls for taxi screens"

TIM DONOGHUE

29/03/2011

A taxi driver stabbed seven times in a frenzied attack has called for all cabs to be fitted with protective screens around the drivers.

Shlemon Yako, 60, was stabbed three times in the stomach, once in his left side and three times in his arms, as he dropped off a front-seat passenger at the bottom of Shropshire Ave in the Wellington suburb of Wilton about 12.15am on Saturday.

The Kiwi Cabs driver picked the man up from the Bay Rd taxi stand in Kilbirnie and drove him across town to Wilton via Aro St.

He said the sustained attack, during which he fought with his assailant, had convinced him protective screens should be compulsory. He remains in a stable condition in Wellington Hospital four days after the attack.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Yako, from Baghdad, said: "I put some boxing to his face. I pushed the knife to the floor. After he came out the other door, I caught him. I put his face to the floor." Mr Yako suffered four stomach and abdomen wounds during the attack inside the cab, and three wounds to his arms as the scuffle continued outside.

Wellington CIB said it was investigating the attack, but no arrest had yet been made.

Legislation was introduced for all taxis in larger cities to be fitted with security cameras from August 1, 2011, after drivers Hiren Mohini and Abdulrahman Ikhtiari were stabbed to death in Auckland in 2010 and Christchurch in 2008. Mr Yako said cameras would not have saved his life if he had suffered a wound to a vital organ.

"We need to keep the passengers away from contact with the driver ... there is no point in having cameras, as cameras will not help the driver survive." He said working in Wellington at night is risky. "There is no way I will go back to driving my cab at night. I will drive during the day." He suspected the man may have been on drugs, as he did not smell of alcohol.

"There was no conversation. He instructed me to go to Shropshire Ave. He did not ask for money. He said nothing. I thought he could be a runner."

Kiwi Cabs general manager Ninos Zaya said he would no longer be sending drivers to the Bay Rd cab rank. The clientele of Bay Rd's bars made it a dangerous area for drivers – though he did not believe the man who stabbed Mr Yako came from a bar.

Mr Zaya said cameras in taxis would not help drivers.

He called for cameras to be installed at taxi stands so that passengers who did not have pickup or drop-off addresses could still be traced.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce decided against introducing compulsory protective screens because of widespread industry objection about the negative impact of screens on normal communication between drivers and passengers.

Mr Joyce said there was nothing to stop individual taxi drivers from introducing protective screens themselves.

Taxi Federation executive director Tim Reddish said there needed to be whole-hearted buy-in from the industry before compulsory screens could be introduced.

"I don't think it's going to happen ... A lot of drivers believe screens are intrusive and interfere with taxi air conditioning systems. It won't happen unless it becomes so bad out there that there is no option. God help us if we ever get to that stage."

- The Dominion Post

21 March, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 12

Bullying victim: Why I fought back


Bullying victim: Why I fought back

5:30 AM Monday Mar 21, 2011

SYDNEY - An Australian schoolboy who has become an internet sensation after turning on a bully has told how he snapped after years of cruel taunts about his weight.

Casey Heynes, 16, says he has been bullied nearly every day at his school, Chifley College, St Marys, in western Sydney, but could take no more when Year 7 student Ritchard Gale tormented and attacked him last week.

"All I was doing was defending myself. I've never had so much support," he told Australia's A Current Affair TV show last night.

According to Sydney's Sunday Telegraph, Casey revealed he had been targeted by a new group of Year 7 boys, who had started picking on him and teasing him.

The Year 10 student said he found himself surrounded by the students when he went to get a school timetable before class.

As Ritchard backed him against the wall and started throwing punches, Casey said he felt scared and worried that others in the group would also start hitting him.

Eventually, he snapped, picking Ritchard up over his shoulder and throwing him to the ground.

The brawl was recorded on the mobile phone of another student, who later posted the footage online, where Casey has earned "hero" status.

Asked if he was a superhero, he laughed and said: "No, I wish I was."

Casey said his outburst was a "build-up" of more than three years of being attacked verbally and physically by other students.

"They used to slap me on the back of the head and said I was a fatty and to lose some weight.

"I've been duct-taped to a pole before as well. They target me because I don't retaliate.

"I've never reacted that way before but everything built up inside me for three years ... I just had enough. All I wanted is for it to stop."

Casey told A Current Affair he had been bullied almost every day at school and even contemplated suicide a year ago when the taunts became too much.

"I started putting myself down and all the crap just kept piling on," he said. "That's when I contemplated suicide."

The video of his fightback, which the Sunday Telegraph said was taken off YouTube on Tuesday, has gone viral worldwide, spawning dozens of websites and Facebook pages congratulating Casey for fighting back.

Casey said he had been overwhelmed by the number of people who backed him after last week's footage went viral.

"I've never had so much support before," he said. "Nobody touches me and teases me any more."

Both Casey and Ritchard were suspended by the school after the incident, as was the student who filmed it on the cellphone.

23 January, 2011

Self-defence in the News - No. 11

Fearless gran cleans up sword-wielding attacker


Fearless gran cleans up sword-wielding attacker

By Caroline King 5:30 AM Sunday Jan 23, 2011




Lois Kennedy's brave actions have not gone unnoticed. Photo / Pam Johnson



An 81-year-old great grandmother fought off a Samurai sword-wielding man attacking her elderly neighbour - armed only with a plastic brush.

Lois Kennedy escaped with grazes to her hand, the 61-year-old victim suffered arm and hand injuries and the 40-year-old swordsman was hospitalised with serious injuries - though it is unclear how he received them.

The attack occurred in St Johns St, in the Christchurch suburb of Woolston, about 5am on Friday. Police say it could have been fatal without Lois' intervention.

Heroics run in her family. Son Royd Kennedy rescued 12-year-old Shirley Young who was trapped under a burning oil tanker for an hour in Manukau in 1990.

However, Lois said anyone would have done the same. "If someone is in danger or distress you just get to it," she said. She was woken by her neighbour's calls for help. "I could hear 'Lois, Lois'. I recognised the voice and rushed out."

On the way she grabbed a short brush. "I thought it was wooden but my daughter later told me it's plastic. I saw this mumbling mess on the path. She was on the ground and he was bending over her. I got my brush and was whacking him. I was aiming for his nose but I don't think I got it."

"I've got no idea what was in my head, except I realised I wasn't doing any good so I came in here and rang the police."

Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey said Lois was extremely brave. "Her actions prevented this incident from escalating." He said a man had been charged with assault, threatening to kill and resisting arrest. He was taken to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition and is due to appear in court tomorrow.

It is understood he is the victim's son and lives in Auckland but had been staying with his mother for about three months.

Grey Power Christchurch vice president Brian Christian said what Lois did was "absolutely brilliant".

"I think it's fairly typical of the grey population, we don't like to be mucked about with," he said.

Her age may have been an element of surprise. "You don't expect an old lass to butt in," Christian said.

By Caroline King

22 January, 2011

2010 Class Photograph

The senior students.

Full-size version.

Left to right:

Toni - Gaynor - Simon - Daniel - Anthony - Mike - Steve - Lois - Kezz

Photography by Vicki Moseley