The man shot by police in Hawke's Bay earlier this year is now a paraplegic.
The 48-year-old man, who has name suppression, was due to appear in Christchurch District Court yesterday but his appearance was excused as he is in Burwood Hospital.
He faces an historic charge of male assaults female and one of making a threat, but police are expected to lay further charges.
His lawyer Allister Davis says his client had no feeling in his toes as a result of the shooting and his chances of regaining the use of his legs were not looking good, according to his clinician.
The man would be bedridden for at least the next three months and he was hoping his appearance, on January 17, would also be excused.
The man was shot once in the torso by police at Otane, 37 kilometres southwest of Hastings, on October 19, after he allegedly threatened to shoot and kill a police officer. He was unarmed.
The officer has returned to work and police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority are now investigating the shooting.
NZN