Tae Won Chung. Photo / Brett Phibbs
A Korean international student charged with stabbing his teacher during class was released on electronic bail yesterday.
Tae Won Chung, 17, remained emotionless in court as an interpreter explained that he could return to the house of his homestay family under strict conditions, including not leaving the premises.
Other bail
conditions include non-contact with stabbed teacher Dave Warren, 49, or any of the Crown witnesses, and that he was to have no access to internet, mobile phones or any electronic communication devices.
Chung's homestay mother Belle Park told the Herald she was "happy" with the decision and didn't think it would be a problem keeping Chung home with the electronic monitoring conditions because "he is a good boy".
Chung is charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
His lawyer, Chris Wilkinson-Smith, said under the bail conditions, Chung will "effectively be under house arrest".
He said his client accepted that he had stabbed Mr Warren with a knife he took from his homestay accommodation, but told the court the Chung intended to plead not guilty.
At issue was his intention and whether he should face a less serious charge.
Chung had support in court from his father, who flew out from South Korea, and about a dozen representatives of his host family, church and a member of the school staff.
Police, who had opposed the bail application, allege that Chung stabbed Mr Warren in the shoulder during a Japanese class on March 3.
Conflicting views were given in court on whether Mr Warren wanted Chung to be allowed bail, forcing Judge Elizabeth Aitken to adjourn the issue to seek clarification from the Avondale College Japanese language teacher.
Chung would not return to Avondale College as a normal student, but the school had offered to support him in continuing his studies at home.
Chung will appear again in court on May 14 for a pre-deposition hearing.
