Man stabbed and woman pushed down stairs, court told

A man was stabbed and beaten about the head with a golf club after a man and woman broke into his home in west Belfast, a court has heard.

One of the intruders also pushed a woman down a flight of stairs during the attack at the house on Gardenmore Walk early on Sunday morning, it was alleged.

Jonathan Maguire, 48, and Courtney McCaul, 25, are accused of smashing windows in the property before going inside to launch the assault.

Both defendants appeared at the city’s magistrates' court on charges of aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, criminal damage, and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Maguire, of The Mount, Belfast, did not seek bail and was remanded in custody until next month.

Police alleged that Ms McCaul, of Cherry Court in the Dunmurry area, was also involved in the violence shortly after 3am.

'Puncture wound and lacerations'

Officers called to the scene were told that the two defendants had arrived at the property armed with a knife and golf club.

They allegedly broke the downstairs windows and then entered the house.

The resident, who was found covered in blood, claimed he had been stabbed by Mr Maguire and struck about the head with the golf club by Ms McCaul.

“He has sustained a puncture wound to his torso and lacerations to his face and head as a result of this,” an investigating detective said.

The woman alleged that Mr Maguire approached and pushed her down the stairs, leaving her with a broken foot.

Both defendants were arrested a short time later at Ms McCaul’s home.

Police searches

During searches at that address police observed fresh specks of blood on the kitchen floor, the court heard.

The washing machine was switched on and also had blood smeared around its handle.

CCTV obtained from near the scene of the attack showed suspects wearing clothing which was said to match items found in the washing machine.

Opposing Ms McCaul’s application for bail, the detective disclosed: “When the defendant was being charged she stated in front of officers that if she goes to jail for this she will kill the [female] victim."

Presiding District Judge Steven Keown was told Ms McCaul lives less than a mile away from Gardenmore Walk and knows both injured parties.

“The defendant left her home in darkness, armed with a weapon, and travelled about 10 minutes walking distance to attack other people in their home,” the detective told the court.

“The fact she was equipped with a weapon shows premeditation."

'Played a lesser role'

Ms McCaul’s barrister, Michael Boyd, argued that she played a lesser role in any alleged attack.

“She appears to have been a secondary party to the primary mover, who is now out of the picture,” he submitted.

“The reason for their attendance at the property appears to be connected much more with Maguire than with this accused who has no history of violence of any description, never mind violence of this level.”

Mr Boyd suggested the alleged comments made by his client in custody were due to a medical condition which left her in a state of distress.

Refusing bail to Ms McCaul, however, Judge Keown cited the risks of re-offending, interference with the complainants and harm to the public.

“These are extremely serious allegations… the address is clearly not suitable,” he said.

Ms McCaul was remanded in custody along with her co-accused until 19 August.