Court appearance after stabbing in Wairoa

The cordoned-off stretch of footpath outside Oslers Bakery & Cafe in Wairoa where a stabbing took place early Tuesday morning. A 23-year-old man faces three charges in relation to two incidents.Picture supplied

A man made an initial appearance in court in Hastings yesterday after being arrested in relation to alleged stabbing and assault incidents in Wairoa in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Police were called about the alleged assault in Queen Street in the township at around 4.40am that morning, then to a stabbing 10 minutes later.

A 23-year-old man has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of injuring with intent to injure.

Police opposed bail when he appeared in court yesterday.

The stabbing victim was flown to Wellington Hospital where he was, at last report, in a serious but stable condition.

He suffered a single stab wound.

An injured woman was flown to Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Hastings, where she is in stable condition.

The third person injured, a man, was discharged from hospital.

Police said they believe these were “isolated incidents” involving one alleged offender.

Scene examinations were carried out on Tuesday.

Police have also said the incident was not gang-related.