Gnome attack accused reappears in court

Photo / File

A man accused of a violent attack using a garden gnome was back in court today.

Timothy Joseph Foley, 52, has been charged with an attack on Michelle Mary Lawrence in the early hours of June 10 at a flat in Linwood, Christchurch.

He appeared at Christchurch District Court today but his new lawyer, Jonathan Eaton did not.

His case was stood down by Judge Gary MacAskill, and when it was recalled a short time later a duty solicitor asked for Foley to be remanded in custody without plea for two weeks.

The unemployed Christchurch man will be back in court on July 3.

Meanwhile, the alleged victim is at Christchurch Hospital.

Last week, she was reportedly in a critical condition in ICU, but today a hospital spokeswoman refused to comment, saying her family had requested "complete privacy".

Foley, who was known to Ms Lawrence, was arrested over the attack at a Worcester St property at around 1am on June 10.

The Star newspaper in Christchurch has been told that a garden gnome was used in the attack.

Officers believe it may have been dumped in the Waimakariri River but a search of the river came up empty.

However, police have refused to discuss specifics of the case or confirm they were looking for a gnome in the river.

But they have confirmed they have searched the area for "items of interest".