Wife defends hubby

Photo / APN

The family of 9-week-old twins injured during an alleged assault are defending the man charged with the attack.

The father of eight was arrested last month and charged with intentionally injuring the boy and girl, and causing grievous bodily harm to his wife.

The Herald on Sunday understands the babies were shaken during an argument between the parents.

This week, 34 further charges were laid relating to abuse against his children since 2006.

He has interim name suppression to protect the identity of his victims.

Court documents alleged the 33-year-old stabbed one of his sons in the thigh with a kitchen knife and in the ear with a pen. Police said he also pushed a vacuum-cleaner pipe down the boy's throat and punched him in the head, face and stomach.

The other charges related to incidents where he allegedly choked his kids with an extension cord and hit them with a hammer, spoons and a broomstick.

The children's mother told the Herald on Sunday she did not press charges against her husband and disputed some of the allegations.

Her eight children, including the twins, are now in the care of other people, including relatives and Children, Youth and Family carers.

The proud mother showed off photos of her twins dressed in fluffy animal outfits.

The father briefly appeared in the Auckland District Court this week, supported by his mother who waved at him from the public gallery. She is looking after two of their toddlers and said her son was not capable of hurting his children.

"My son is a good boy. It's all lies. That is evil and he has a good heart," she said.

He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in the Auckland District Court on August 21.