A mother who allegedly stabbed a teacher with scissors in northern NSW yesterday has been refused bail, after a magistrate revealed she had a criminal history.
The 31-year-old parent, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made a brief court appearance at Tweed Heads this morning.
She was arrested yesterday after the incident at Byron Bay Public School, in which teacher Zane Vockler, 28, received cuts to his arms and face.
Prosecutors said when the woman was arrested there was blood on her shirt and scissors with orange handles were found at her premises.
Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said the defendant had a criminal history and had previously not followed bail orders.
The woman was previously held under the Mental Health Act, but had escaped the institution, the court heard.
Police prosecutors allege she is unmedicated and considered a significant risk to the public.
The court was also told Mr Vockler sustained a broken tooth, wounds behind his ear and cuts to his face after being attacked with a pair of scissors.
Byron Bay Public School was yesterday placed in lockdown at about 7:20am after the mother's alleged attack.
The accused is next due to appear before Byron Bay Local Court on June 27.
Yesterday, the NSW Department of Education said strict security measures were taken after the incident.
Parent Luke Jolly described Mr Vockler, known by the children as "Mr V", as a "gentle and caring" teacher.
"My daughter had him as a teacher for a year," he said.
"He's a lovely, wonderful man. He loves the kids and the kids love him — and he's well loved by all the parents too."
Mr Jolly said the school community had been shocked by the incident.
"No-one in any workplace should encounter this, but our teachers are a very special part of our society," he said.
