Road rage attack: Accused fit to stand trial

File photo / Greg Bowker

A property developer accused of a bizarre road rage attack has been found fit to stand trial.

Andrew George McDaniel, 51, is accused of assaulting a father-of-two in front of his family and killing their young dog near Eyre River, 20 minutes north of Christchurch, about 5.45pm on March 23.

He today denied the attack and killing their 10-month-old puppy. After his arrest, McDaniel, from Swannanoa in North Canterbury was remanded in custody at a psychiatric hospital to assess his mental health.

Today, he appeared from custody at Christchurch District Court. Two Section 38 psychiatric reports, prepared under the Criminal Procedures (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act, both found that McDaniel was fit to enter pleas, defence counsel Michael Starling said.

One report of May 4 concluded it was unlikely McDaniel could have an insanity defence available, the court heard.

Given the nature of the reports, it was a "futile process" to challenge the findings, the lawyer said. On instruction from McDaniel, he entered not guilty pleas to charges of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and wilful ill treatment of an animal.

On the basis of the reports, and the fact they were not challenged, Judge Brian Callaghan concluded that McDaniel was fit to stand trial.

While McDaniel did not consent to being remanded in custody, he is subject to compulsory assessment under section 30 of the Mental Health Act.

Judge Callaghan remanded in in custody to Hillmorton Hospital for him to be back in court for a case review hearing on August 10.

A father-of-two suffered head, shoulder and ankle injuries in the alleged road rage incident that claimed the life of the puppy.

McDaniel, in a 4WD vehicle, is alleged to have taken offence at being signalled by the man walking with his family that he was driving too fast and is accused of trying to knock him over.

To avoid being run down, the man "took evasive action", which included leaping a barbed wire fence - however police say he appeared to have been hit at least once.

Police claim the family's puppy was hit as the vehicle fled the scene and later had to be put down.