KEY POINTS:
The teenager accused of brutally assaulting an elderly West Coast man today had the charge upgraded to attempted murder.
Bobby Christopher Barnett-Waldron, 17, of Dobson, made no plea this morning when he appeared in Greymouth District Court on charges of attempting to murder Peter Lawrence, 74, and intentionally damaging his home by fire on May 5.
Mr Lawrence lived alone in a small cottage in Mawhera Street, on the edge of the small Grey Valley township of Dobson.
Judge Raoul Neave remanded Barnett-Waldron in custody until May 27.
The accused also faces a raft of other charges for alleged offences on April 29-30.
Among them were stealing $109 of fuel from the Lake Brunner Service Centre, failing to stop for police, three of driving recklessly, failing to stop after a collision, driving dangerously and possession of home-made mace.
The driving charges related to alleged incidents around north Canterbury - at Waipara, Kaikoura, Cheviot and Hanmer.
- NZPA
