29 March, 2013
17 March, 2013
01 March, 2013
Self-defence in the News - No. 40
Dog saves owner from armed sex attack
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8350288/Dog-saves-owner-from-armed-sex-attack
JOELLE DALLY
26/02/2013
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/Fairfax NZ
SAVIOUR: A Christchurch teenager believes she could have been killed in a sexually motivated attack in a Burnside park if her dog had not come to her aid and attacked the man.
A Christchurch woman was saved from a vicious sexually motivated attack by the loyal dog she adopted only two months ago.
The 19-year-old believes she survived only because her dog leaped on the attacker, biting him on the neck or shoulder.
The woman told The Press her 13-month-old german-shepherd-greyhound-border-collie cross's intervening allowed her to run away and flag down a passing car.
The attack took place in Jellie Park, Burnside, about 1.50am on Sunday.
Police do not believe it is related to another sexually motivated attack on a 14-year-old near Colombo St on Friday night.
No arrests have been made for either incident. The 19-year-old had just been dropped off at her home near Burnside Park when the dog took off out the door.
She chased after him, staying close to the road but as she came near some bushes she was grabbed by a man and dragged into the dark.
She still has no idea how long the ordeal went on. At first she froze and believes she blacked out when her head hit the ground.
When she came to, "instinct kicked in". She fought back, kicking the man in the groin and scratching at his face while trying to protect herself. She tried to gouge his eyes. She thought he was hitting her with his phone, but it was in fact a weapon.
"He was cutting me with something, but I had no pain. All the blood, I thought, was sweat or tears. I was yelling for help and screaming at some points. I thought, 'If I'm going to die I might as well fight back.' "
Her attacker did not utter a word. When she kicked and scratched him, he made only "creepy" grunty noises.
"It was like he couldn't feel it," she said.
She suffered numerous cuts to her face, hands and arms, but believes her injuries would have been worse if the dog had not come to her aid.
She said he ran over and "leaped on the guy", biting him and dragging him away.
"I could hear him growling. I didn't look back. I ran straight to the road.
"I don't think I'd be here if [he] didn't do that."
Police believe the attacker went up a slide to get away from the dog.
The woman said she had not slept since the attack - "every time I shut my eyes I relive it" - but wanted to speak out to warn other women.
She is confident police will find her attacker, described as a male European with dark facial stubble.
She believes he had been hiding in the bushes waiting for a potential victim. "I see people cut through [the park] all the time. If it wasn't me, it would have been some girl without a dog."
She said her dog has stayed beside her ever since the ordeal.
"He's an amazing dog. It was a horrible thing, but I could have got murdered in a park."
About 9.30pm on Friday, a 14-year-old was attacked and pulled into bushes in Walton St close to Colombo St. She suffered bruising but no other serious injuries.
Anyone with information on either attack should phone Detective Greg Dalziel on (03) 363 7899 or phone the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
12 February, 2013
10 February, 2013
Self-defence in the News - No. 39
Woman fights off attacker by river
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8282879/Woman-fights-off-attacker-by-river
SALLY KIDSON
09/02/2013
Officers are increasing patrols in the Queen's Gardens area following the incident, the second violent attack on a woman in the area in less than a week.
Early last Sunday morning, an 18-year-old woman was raped in Queen's Gardens.
In the latest incident, only about 100 metres away from the gardens, a woman in her 40s was grabbed about 10pm on Thursday. Police said the attack appeared to be sexually motivated.
The woman was walking home when she was dragged under the Normanby Bridge, where there was a violent struggle.
Acting Nelson Bays area commander Inspector Ross Lienert said she suffered bruises and scrapes, but managed to fight off her attacker and get away.
Mr Lienert said the woman showed "real courage", punching the offender to break free. He could have visible injuries as a result.
"There could be bruising around his face.
"She has been subjected to a number of punches, but she's managed to land a few of her own and escape from the attacker. She's done extremely well under the circumstances. It is apparent from the description of the incident that the attack was sexually motivated," he said.
The offender was described as Caucasian, about 170cm (5ft 7in) tall. He was of medium build, with short hair, and was thought to be in his 20s. He was wearing dark blue baggy jeans which had a tear on the seat, and a grey, long-sleeved hoodie with a zip up the front.
The hood was up, and had a light-coloured lining and a small tear. There was dark writing on the front of the hoodie.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time, and anyone who may be able to help identify the attacker.
They would also like to hear from anyone who may have experienced a similar incident but has not yet reported it to the police.
Mr Lienert said police were not ruling out the possibility that Thursday's attack was linked to last Sunday's rape, as they both involved women on their own in the same part of town. "We don't want to categorically say that there's a link, but certainly we've got to look at that option."
Police would be going door to door and speaking with residents in the area today, he said, and staff would be carrying out high-profile foot patrols.
"We want to assure people that live in that area that they are safe. Until this person is located, we will have a presence there."
Mr Lienert advised people against walking alone in the area, and said they should call police immediately if they thought they might know who the attacker was, or saw someone who fitted the description. "We want to catch this person as soon as possible."
The earlier attack happened about 1am last Sunday in Queen's Gardens, near the public toilet.
The 18-year-old victim had been at the Little Rock Bar in Bridge St, and had stopped to call a taxi. She was grabbed from behind before she could make the call.
Police said she was raped, but the offender was frightened off by the sound of people in the area.
The victim described the offender as skinny, aged 20 to 25, and Caucasian with short-cropped hair.
On New Year's Day, a 62-year-old woman was raped at the Victory Community Gardens.
Nelson fisheries worker Hilton Hone-Heke has been charged with a number of offences in relation to that rape and assault. He is in custody.
Information on either attack in the Queen's Gardens area can be given by calling Nelson police, ph 546 3840, or anonymously through Crimestoppers, 0800 555 111.
- © Fairfax NZ News
28 January, 2013
Look who popped in...
... My sifu, Master Kevin Earle.
Saturday class with Kevin, Brent, Chris, Ange, Hadrian, Mike, Tony, Moo, and me.
Saturday class with Kevin, Brent, Chris, Ange, Hadrian, Mike, Tony, Moo, and me.
Ange, Hadrian, Brent, and Mike.
Brent & Kevin.
Mike & Kevin.
Chris & Kevin.
Left to right: Chris, Kevin, Brent, Anthony, Hadrian, and Mike -- at Southern Wing Chun.
08 January, 2013
20 December, 2012
Christmas 2012
Today...
Left to right:
Anthony, Matt, Tony, Brent (senior student), Ange (senior student), Hadrian (senior student), Daryl, Scotty, and Mike (senior student).
Some of the great students of Southern Wing Chun...
Self-defence in the News - No. 37
Petrol station owner defends his patch
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8102737/Station-owner-defends-his-patch
VANITA PRASAD Last updated 06:50 20/12/2012
VANITA PRASAD / Fairfax NZ
BATTLE SCARS: Zahid Chaudry managed to scare off the intruder by confronting him.
An armed robber got more than he bargained for when he attempted to steal from Zahid Chaudry's petrol station.
The Swanson GAS station owner was on his computer about 8pm on Thursday when an armed man confronted him.
Chaudry said instinct kicked in when he saw the offender's pistol and balaclava. "I just pushed him across the store and thought I have to get him out of here."
He began beating the robber who started smashing him in the face with the butt of his weapon. "We were still fighting, I didn't want to give up, he didn't want to give up."
Chaudry began to get the better of his assailant by throwing him on to the concrete forecourt and removing his disguise. He continued defending his store while a regular customer pulled up outside and called 111.
Chaudry said the man, who looked in his mid-40s with a goatee, gave up and ran to a getaway car waiting on Swanson Rd. Another resident who saw the getaway pursued the vehicle, getting the driver's registration plate number.
Mechanic John Dormer from neighbouring business Candia Automotive said Chaudry had defended his store bravely. "He deserves a bravery award," Dormer said.
Chaudry has been told by many people that he was stupid for fighting the robber, but he stands by his actions. "If something happened to me who would be there for my wife and daughter? But if I did not fight him he'd just be back for more."
He said he and his wife have owned the station for five years but had never been attacked. He is grateful to the two people who helped: "I love Swanson and I love the people who live here."
The offender left in a purple or burgundy 1990's Holden Commodore Sedan. The car was last seen in the Massey area. Police are investigating the incident.
Fairfax NZ News
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8102737/Station-owner-defends-his-patch
VANITA PRASAD Last updated 06:50 20/12/2012
BATTLE SCARS: Zahid Chaudry managed to scare off the intruder by confronting him.
An armed robber got more than he bargained for when he attempted to steal from Zahid Chaudry's petrol station.
The Swanson GAS station owner was on his computer about 8pm on Thursday when an armed man confronted him.
Chaudry said instinct kicked in when he saw the offender's pistol and balaclava. "I just pushed him across the store and thought I have to get him out of here."
He began beating the robber who started smashing him in the face with the butt of his weapon. "We were still fighting, I didn't want to give up, he didn't want to give up."
Chaudry began to get the better of his assailant by throwing him on to the concrete forecourt and removing his disguise. He continued defending his store while a regular customer pulled up outside and called 111.
Chaudry said the man, who looked in his mid-40s with a goatee, gave up and ran to a getaway car waiting on Swanson Rd. Another resident who saw the getaway pursued the vehicle, getting the driver's registration plate number.
Mechanic John Dormer from neighbouring business Candia Automotive said Chaudry had defended his store bravely. "He deserves a bravery award," Dormer said.
Chaudry has been told by many people that he was stupid for fighting the robber, but he stands by his actions. "If something happened to me who would be there for my wife and daughter? But if I did not fight him he'd just be back for more."
He said he and his wife have owned the station for five years but had never been attacked. He is grateful to the two people who helped: "I love Swanson and I love the people who live here."
The offender left in a purple or burgundy 1990's Holden Commodore Sedan. The car was last seen in the Massey area. Police are investigating the incident.
Fairfax NZ News
18 December, 2012
Christmas
We will have a brief Christmas break.
The school will be open up until (and including) Saturday
22 December.
Monday 24 December - CLOSED
Thursday 27 December - CLOSED
We will re-open on Saturday 29 December - business as usual...
The school will be open up until (and including) Saturday
22 December.
Monday 24 December - CLOSED
Thursday 27 December - CLOSED
We will re-open on Saturday 29 December - business as usual...
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