Qld: Police hunt for Sydney tourist's attacker

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2008
Qld: Police hunt for Sydney tourist's attacker

BRISBANE, Dec 29 AAP - A Sydney tourist bashed unconscious and left lying in scrub
remains in a critical condition in the Gold Coast hospital as police close in on a person
of interest.

The Burleigh Heads criminal investigation branch are investigating how Shane Pusztai
came to be lying unconscious in scrub near the North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club, on
the Gold Coast, about 10.20pm (AEST) on Friday.

Mr Pusztai was taken to The Tweed Hospital and then to Gold Coast Hospital, where he
remained in a critical condition in an induced coma on Monday.

His family, including his mother, have flown up from Sydney to be by his bedside.

It will be several days before doctors make any decisions regarding Mr Pusztai's injuries.

Detective Senior Sergeant Terry Goldsworthy said indications show Mr Pusztai was assaulted
and then robbed.

Det Snr Sgt Goldsworthy said the main person of interest was a man of Maori appearance,
aged in his lated teens to early 20s, with a shaved head with stripe marks down the side.

"He also has a distinctive tattoo on the inside of his right forearm that reads the
number 4220," he said.

"That postcode would indicate a location of Miami."

Det Snr Sgt Goldsworthy urged a number of young people, who would have witnessed the
event, to come forward.

"We're led to believe that a group of about six people of Islander extraction and Caucasians
interacted with the victim on the night."

Police say Mr Pusztai bought alcohol at the Miami One Shopping Centre before heading
to the park alone.

Det Snr Sgt Goldsworthy appealed to anyone who may have seen Mr Pusztai prior to the
incident to also come forward.

AAP djb/ahe/cdh

KEYWORD: PUSZTAI (PIC AVAILABLE)

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