Confusion over whether stabbed teacher wants student bailed

Tae Won Chung. Photo / Brett Phibbs

An Auckland court was today given conflicting views about whether a teacher wanted a student who stabbed him to be allowed bail.

The student, Tae Won Chung, 17, was remanded until May 14 for a date for depositions to be set.

However, Judge Elizabeth Aitken, in Auckland District Court, adjourned the issue of whether the remand would be in custody or on bail until 2.15pm.

The adjournment was to seek clarification of the opinions of the complainant, Avondale College Japanese language teacher Dave Warren.

Judge Aitken said Mr Warren's views would not determine whether Chung got bail, but they were relevant and she wanted to know what his concerns might be.

Mr Warren, 49, was stabbed in the back on March 3 while he was writing on a whiteboard during a lesson.

His recovery is reported to be taking longer than expected and he remains in hospital.

Chung, an international student from South Korea, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Defence counsel Chris Wilkinson-Smith told the court that Chung intended to plead not guilty.

He said the defence accepted that Chung stabbed Mr Warren with a knife that he had taken from his homestay accommodation.

At issue was his intention and whether he should face a less serious charge.

In making the bail application, Mr Wilkinson-Smith said there was evidence that neither the school nor Mr Warren opposed it.

He said Chung could be bailed on strict conditions, including electronic monitoring.

Chung, if bailed, would not return to Avondale College as a normal student, but there would be support for him to continue his studies at home.

Mr Wilkinson-Smith said Chung had no previous convictions either in New Zealand or South Korea and was not a risk to the wider community.

He said the circumstances that gave rise to the assault were unique and came from long-standing issues Chung had with that particular class.

He added that Chung had undergone a psychiatric assessment and there were no mental health issues.

However, police prosecutor Tim Sarah said Mr Warren expressed his opposition to bail when police spoke to him this morning.

Mr Sarah said police themselves were against bail on grounds that included possible interference with witnesses, seriousness of the offence and potential risk of reoffending.

Chung was supported in court by family, friends and a staff member from the college.

His father, who flew out from South Korea after the incident, is expected to stay in New Zealand for the duration of the case.

- NZPA