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A World War II veteran who suffered serious injuries in a carpark bashing could be released from hospital today, a day after his alleged attacker appeared in court.
Eric Brady, 85, was dragged from his car and beaten as he left the Papatoetoe RSA last Wednesday night.
He received severe bruising and his jaw was broken in two places.
Mr Brady's daughter, Joanne O'Rourke, said her father was in good spirits and there was a chance he could be released from hospital today.
"They've found another crack on his upper jaw, too," she said.
The 18-year-old alleged to have carried out the assault appeared in court yesterday. The Pt England man is charged with causing grievous bodily harm, stealing Mr Brady's car keys and being armed with a knife.
He also faces a charge of being unlawfully in an enclosed yard, believed to have been laid after he allegedly tried to avoid police.
The man stood in the dock in a blue boiler suit with his arms folded during his brief appearance in the Manukau District Court.
Lawyer Amit Malik said the accused's family had not been informed of his charges and he required some time to do that.
Judge Anna Johns granted name suppression and remanded him in custody until Friday.
Friends of Mr Brady were in court but did not speak to the media.
