A Filipino family who recently moved to New Zealand say they don’t feel safe after their 12-year-old was viciously beaten outside an Auckland McDonald's on Saturday.
The young girl was at McDonald's Glenfield with three of her classmates enjoying a meal and laughing in conversation, when two girls at another table “mistakenly” believed they were being laughed at, the girls' sister Rein Crystal said.
One of the girls approached their table, demanding an apology from her sister, assuming they were mocking her.
Crystal said the friend group had finished eating and were leaving, when they noticed the same girl who earlier had approached their table following them.
Crystan says even after her sister apologised, the girl proceeded to physically attack her.
She adds they kicked her in the leg, pinned her to the ground, and repeatedly kicked her in the face and forehead, causing her to bleed.
Crystal says the young girl phoned her mother in tears following the alleged assault saying "mama."
When the family arrived at McDonald's the young girl was bleeding, with “blood scattered everywhere”.
“The bleeding only stopped when we took her to White Cross.
She is currently okay, but her face has sustained damage and swelling,” Crystal said.
She said the family had only moved to New Zealand in August last year, and had “never” experienced incidents like this in the Philippines.
“I don't know if this is a safe place because this is the first time this has happened to our family.
A police spokesperson confirmed they received a report of a serious assault on Kaipatiki Rd at 1.33pm on Saturday but could not confirm whether they were looking for any suspects or whether any arrests had been made.
McDonald's Glenfield did not respond to multiple calls from Stuff.
[Source: stuff.co.nz]
