Hammer accused gets bail, name suppression

A Mangere man accused of attacking a truck driver with a hammer has sought name suppression because a close relative is a top rugby player.

The 35-year-old carpenter was granted bail when he appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Barry William Fletcher.

The defendant, a father of four, was also given temporary name suppression, pending an appeal against Judge David Harvey's decision not to suppress his name. Frank Hogan, who was representing the man in court, said suppression was sought on two grounds: the defendant's father had only just been released from hospital with a serious heart problem and did not know his son had been charged, and the man had a close relative taking part in a sporting activity this weekend who could do without the publicity.

Judge Harvey said he had sympathy for the situation involving the man's father, but the amount of publicity about the case and graphic images featured in the media meant he would not be prepared to grant suppression.

An appeal was lodged yesterday and will be heard by the High Court.

Mr Fletcher suffered multiple fractures to his right ankle and left wrist, gashes to the bone on his lower right leg and bruising when he was attacked in the cab of his truck in Savill Drive, Mangere East, on Tuesday. He was then dragged out, falling 2m to the concrete below.

He told the Herald he had no doubt his attacker was trying to kill him.

The man charged handed himself in to police on Wednesday night after security camera footage of the attack on Mr Fletcher featured in the media.

The defendant entered no plea in court yesterday and was remanded to appear next Wednesday.

He must report to the police twice a week, not associate with the victim and not take drugs or alcohol.

Mr Fletcher told the Herald on Wednesday that a van had pulled out in front of him and he had followed it slowly before it suddenly pulled over.

He said he passed the van and headed to a client's depot. He noticed the van did not move.

A Middlemore Hospital spokeswoman said Mr Fletcher underwent surgery late yesterday afternoon and was not available for comment.