Elderly couple attacker granted name suppression

The 29-year-old man appeared in Auckland District Court today facing six charges over the incident that left the couple unconscious in their driveway as an offender took off with their car. Photo / File

The man charged over an attack on an elderly couple in their Onehunga driveway will keep his name secret at least until his next court appearance.

The 29-year-old man appeared in Auckland District Court today facing six charges over the incident that left the couple unconscious in their driveway as an offender took off with their car.

He applied for interim name suppression, with a duty solicitor saying the man hadn't had time since his arrest to inform his family.

Justice of the Peace Susan Walker declined name suppression.

However, the man appealed the decision, and name suppression stands until the appeal is heard before a judge.

The man was restless in the dock, frequently pointing at and mouthing words to the six supporters in the public gallery and wiping his face with his t-shirt during proceedings.

One of his supporters attempted to film the court hearing on a mobile phone until he was approached by security.

The defendant was held in custody until his next appearance on Monday when a bail application would be heard.

He shouted "love you" to his supporters as he was led away from the dock.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old Otahuhu man will appear in the Manukau District Court on Tuesday April 14 charged with unlawfully taking a vehicle related to the incident.

Police said the couple suffered injuries to their face when the wife pulled into the driveway and was approached and verbally abused by a man.

The noise attracted her husband's attention, and when he came outside the attacker beat him unconscious.

He then attacked his wife and she too was knocked unconscious, police said.

The couple were taken to hospital and left with severely bruised faces and significant jaw injuries.

They are currently recovering at home.