Man in court for attack in park

A 25-year-old man who police say bashed two teenagers in a park in Waitakere City and left them lying in pools of their own blood faced court yesterday.

The unemployed man appeared in the Waitakere District Court charged with three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one charge of aggravated robbery.

He was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody until April 21.

Nathaniel Morrow, 19, and his friend Dana McCarthy, 17, were left fighting for their lives after the attack in Starling Park, in the West Auckland suburb of Ranui, on March 7.

After the beating - which police have labelled vicious and savage - Mr Morrow was found unconscious by a man walking his dog.

Ms McCarthy managed to walk to a nearby house to ask for help.

She has had two lengthy operations, of five hours and seven hours, but will need more surgery.

A police spokesman said her youth was a key factor in her recovery.

Mr Morrow has left hospital and is now in a brain-injury rehabilitation centre.

He is slowly regaining use of the left side of his body and it is hoped he will eventually regain full use of his functions.

Police said further charges were possible once forensic results were received.