Man in court after attack

An unemployed man has appeared in court charged with a brutal attack in a west Auckland park which left a young couple with critical head injuries.

The 25-year-old man appeared in Waitakere District Court today on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated robbery after the attack in Starling Park, Ranui on March 7.

Police said today they had not ruled out further charges once forensic results were available.

The man did not enter a plea. He was remanded in custody until April 21.

Police said the two teenage victims, a 17-year-old girl and her 19-year-old boyfriend, were left lying in pools of their own blood.

They were taken to Auckland and Middlemore hospitals in a critical condition, fighting for their lives.

A local resident discovered the man in the park while his girlfriend was found after she knocked on a door asking for help.

Both victims are making steady progress in their recovery.

The woman has had two lengthy operations to repair damage and police said her youth had been a key factor in her recovery. She was expected to have further surgery and her recovery was expected to take some time.

Her boyfriend had been transferred from hospital to a brain injury rehabilitation centre where he was slowly regaining use of the left side of his body.

It was hoped he would regain full use of all functions, said police.

- NZPA