Man charged over Christchurch assault

Photo / NZH

A late-night fight in which a man suffered serious head injuries is being probed by Christchurch police.

Justin James Taia, 39, appeared at Christchurch District Court this morning, sporting a bandage on his forehead, charged with injuring with intent to injure 48-year old Vaea Lam.

Duty solicitor Paul Johnson asked Judge Raoul Neave for a short remand until next Wednesday for the man to apply for legal aid and for counsel to be assigned.

No bail application was made.

Mr Taia, who lives near where the alleged assault took place, in Harold Denton Place in the St Albans suburb of Christchurch, was remanded in custody.

Police are still at the scene this morning and trying to work out what led to the incident which was reported shortly before 11pm last night.

On arrival, officers found Mr Lam lying injured in a property's driveway. They allege Taia was nearby and arrested him while Mr Lam was taken to hospital. His condition is currently described as stable.

Detective Sergeant Mark Reid says both men were believed to live in nearby flats.

He said enquiries are ongoing to work out "what was the precursor to the fight or assault starting".

"We've got a witness seeing the victim getting stomped at about the end of the assault, and that is consistent with his injuries, so we're just working through that now," Mr Reid said.

The scene examination is expected to conclude this morning.