Police investigating Byron Bay teacher stabbing as mental health incident: police sources

A mother accused of stabbing a Byron Bay teacher is a danger to society and escaped from a mental health facility two weeks ago, a court has heard. The woman faced court by video link today, accused of using a pair of scissors to stab 28-year-old Zane Vockler in the face and arm.

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A mother accused of stabbing a Byron Bay teacher is a danger to society and escaped from a mental health facility two weeks ago, a court has heard.

The woman faced Tweed Heads Local Court by video link today, accused of using a pair of scissors to stab 28-year-old Zane Vockler in the face and arm.

The court was told the teacher is lucky to have survived the attack at the Byron Bay Public School about 7am yesterday.

Byron Bay Public School was in lockdown yesterday after a parent allegedly stabbed a teacher. Picture: Marc Stapelberg

Mr Vockler has undergone surgery after suffering a fractured arm, a deep wound behind his left ear and cuts to his arm and face.

The woman has been charged with unlawful wounding causing grievous bodily harm and entering enclosed land.

“It was a targeted and premeditated attack and it was completely unprovoked,” prosecutor Sergeant Nathan Lockett told the court today.

“The victim is lucky to be alive.”

The woman fled the school after the assault and was later arrested at her Suffolk Park home.

Sgt Lockett objected to a bail application, saying the woman had a serious history of violence and was at risk of reoffending.

The court heard she is unstable and unmedicated after escaping from a mental health facility two weeks ago.

Originally from Brazil, the woman moved to Australia 12 years ago and is now a permanent resident.

Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy denied bail, saying there was a significant risk to the victim and the community at large if she was released.

“Police particulars of the offence reveals very violent conduct. It was a very serious assault on the victim which was unprovoked,” Mr Dunlevy said. The woman was remanded for mention in Byron Bay Local Court on June 27.

Zane Vockler was allegedly stabbed by a parent.

POLICE INVESTIGATE BYRON BAY TEACHER STABBING

A popular Byron Bay teacher was allegedly slashed by a parent with a pair of scissors in a frightening attack that left a “pool of blood” near the school’s library.

Year Four teacher Zane Vockler, known as “Mr V” to his students, underwent surgery after he was left with cuts to his arms and face when he was allegedly stabbed by a 31-year-old mother-of-one of his students at Byron Bay Public School on Tuesday.

It was the first day back from the Easter holidays, meaning teachers had arrived early, when the 28-year-old was attacked at 7.20am.

The school was locked down as police searched for the assailant. The woman was arrested by 11am at her Beech Drive home in Suffolk Park.

A police source said when the woman approached Mr Vockler she was incoherent and The Daily Telegraph was told police are investigating the attack as a mental-health incident.

It is also understood the woman does not have custody of her child in Mr Vockler’s class.

Police will allege in court the two were “speaking on the premises before she approached him with what’s believed to be a pair of scissors”.

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The woman was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and entering enclosed lands without a lawful excuse.

Mr Vockler, 28, was taken to Tweed Hospital to undergo surgery and was in a stable condition on Tuesday night.

The woman has been charged. Picture: Marc Stapelberg

Jackie Sperry said the children were told there had been an “accident”.

“Mr Vockler is one of the kid’s favourites, he is a real gentle soul. The kids were all called to assembly and told he had an accident and it would be OK,” she said.

“There was a pool of blood near the library that was just cordoned off as a crime scene waiting for the forensics or police, but the kids could see it.”

“What a horrible thing to fear going to work, it’s just dreadful.”

School newsletters show Mr Vockler helped organise parent volunteers for the school garden and also played guitar for visiting grandparents.

“With mental health issues, it can happen anywhere, I have compassion for the woman but imagine how her child is,” one school mother said.

Originally published as Police investigating Byron Bay teacher stabbing as mental health incident: police sources