Two people facing three charges of assault using a dog as a weapon have been remanded on bail, after a court appearance in Christchurch today.

One has pleaded not guilty and the other has been remanded without plea to make contact with her defence counsel, after appearing on remand before Judge Emma Smith at a Christchurch District Court appearance in the Nga Hau e Wha national marae today.

Phillipa Anne Parker, 18, came to court expecting to face one charge arising from an incident last month in which a Japanese student alleges she was the victim of a racially motivated attack as she walked on Lincoln Road, late on a Sunday night.

The 18-year-old Japanese woman alleged two people made racist comments to her and then set their dogs on her, encouraging them to bite her. She backed against a wall and escaped serious injury. She was helped by a passer-by.

Duty solicitor Elizabeth Bulger said Parker had earlier been remanded on only one charge but found that two more charges had been laid by the police today. One of the charges dates back as far as September.

Judge Smith remanded Parker on bail to make contact with Angela Grant who has been assigned as defence counsel, and to reappear at the marae sitting on May 17.

Steven Donaldson, 25, pleaded not guilty and was remanded on bail for a nominal hearing date of July 4.

- NZPA

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