A Somalian man remained barely conscious during a brief court sitting inside Christchurch Hospital this afternoon as he was remanded in custody on five charges relating to a violent incident last week.
Christchurch District Court Judge Paul Kellar remanded the man in custody under the Mental Health Act to March 29, when a psychiatric report will be ordered under the Criminal Procedures (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act.
By then, it is expected the 27-year-old, who had his left arm heavily bandaged after being shot by the police to end the incident, will have been discharged from hospital and will be under mental health care at Hillmorton Hospital.
Defence counsel Allister Davis said his client was unwell. The man remained propped on pillows with his eyes closed, apparently asleep.
The judge asked if he was aware of the court proceedings taking place around his hospital bed, and asked him to nod if he was aware.
After a pause, the man nodded.
The judge granted interim name suppression on mental health grounds at the request of Davis.
He also granted suppression to a Christchurch City Council worker who was allegedly attacked in the incident that began at Redwood and continued across the city to Hoon Hay last Thursday.
Prosecutor Sergeant John Taylor said the police supported the worker’s suppression, and were neutral about the interim suppression for the defendant.
The man faces charges of kidnapping the council worker and a woman, Marteine Robin.
He is charged with attempting to murder the council worker, and injuring Robin with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He is also charged with having an offensive weapon – a knife – in his possession without lawful excuse at Redwood Primary School and Hoon Hay Road.
No pleas have been entered.
Because of his injuries, the court sitting was convened in a room in the ward where he is recovering.
It was attended by the judge, defence lawyer, prosecutor, court staff, forensic psychiatric nurse, a doctor, and media.
TVNZ.CO.NZ
