Machete case accused appears

A DUNEDIN man accused of almost hacking off someone’s hand with a machete will remain behind bars for at least two weeks.

The 33yearold appeared before the Dunedin District Court yesterday charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and assaulting a female.

Police at the time said the male victim’s hand was nearly severed in the alleged attack at a Taieri Mouth property.

The defendant also faces two counts of breaching a community-work order.

His first court hearing was administratively adjourned, so yesterday was his first physical appearance before a judge since the incident on February 20.

Defence counsel Anne Stevens did not make an application for bail and said pleas to the charges would be entered at her client’s next appearance.

Interim name suppression was continued by Judge Dominic Flatley at the request of defence and prosecution, to protect the man’s children.

CluthaTaieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Al Dickie previously told the Otago Daily Times, Dunedin and Balclutha police were called to the incident after receiving reports a man’s hand had been cut off with a machete.

The alleged attacker was on the lawn when police arrived.

Police directed traffic past the property in Taieri Mouth Rd as the injured man was stretchered away.

Sgt Dickie confirmed there was a woman inside the house at the time of the attack.

A St John spokesman said the patient was transported from the property by ambulance to a nearby location and then flown by rescue helicopter to Dunedin Hospital.

The defendant will appear in court again later this month.