Man accused of vicious attack fails to appear in court

Praveet Singh was "recovering quite well" from her injuries, although the broken eye sockets could take some time to come right. Photo / Natalie Slade

A man accused of viciously attacking an Auckland mother on her daily pre-dinner walk failed to turn up at court today.

Lual Makur Lual, 26, was to have appeared in the Manukau District Court today where police laid a more serious charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against Praveet Singh.

Lual's lawyer Vikki Reid said she hadn't been able to contact him. She unsuccessfully sought name suppression for Lual, arguing he should have suppression because his name is very similar to his brother's, with only the middle name different.

The new charge Lual faces carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail and replaces a less serious count of injuring with intent to injure.

He was granted bail by a community magistrate at his first appearance last month.

Lual also faces a charge of common assault against a different person in the same day. He is yet to enter any pleas.

Judge Heather Simpson issued a warrant for his arrest.

Ms Singh, 40, was on her regular walk near her home in Papatoetoe on January 16 when she was set upon in the street. The attack left the mother-of-two with fractured eye sockets, a broken nose and frustrated that witnesses were unwilling to intervene.

The mother of two has said homeowners watched as the beating continued. One had pushed her back towards her attacker.

"The neighbourhood gathered and I kept screaming for help and no one did anything. It was a freakshow to them. I've been beaten nearly to death and there were spectators."

Today Ms Singh told APNZ she was "recovering quite well" from her injuries, although the broken eye sockets could take some time to come right.

"I went to see a specialist. I don't need surgery thankfully, but the healing process will take five to six months. I'll have to cope with that a bit longer."

Ms Singh said she might return to work next week. So far she hasn't resumed her regular walks around home but has been going for walks with her mother.