Bail refused for 'frenzied and vicious' attack accused

Police were called to a serious assault in Conlig, County Down, on Tuesday morning

A County Down man has been remanded into custody accused of trying to kill his neighbour in what police said was a "frenzied and vicious" knife attack.

Martin Griffin, 38, of Breezemont Close in Conlig, was also charged with possessing a weapon.

Mr Griffin was charged with attempted murder and possessing a weapon, namely a knife.

A detective told the court he believed he could connect the defendant to both charges and said they object to him receiving bail over concerns about flight, witness interference and further offending.

A police officer said just after 08:00 GMT on 7 January the police were alerted to an incident involving a man being stabbed during an "altercation" outside his own home.

'Blood stained'

Giving evidence to Downpatrick Magistrates' Court the police officer said officers could see he had suffered a "slash wound" to his face and puncture wounds to his back and abdomen.

The court also heard he had suffered punctures to his left lung and kidney.

On Thursday, 54-year-old Mark David Courtney, from Breezemount Walk, was remanded into custody accused of assisting an offender and possessing a single .22 bullet on the same date.

'Defending his mother'

The court was told that having "identified the defendant as the assailant," police obtained CCTV footage which showed Griffin leaving his property at 07:47 and then allegedly being involved "in an altercation with the injured party".

The court was told that, the same footage showed that before the police arrived at 08:15, Mr Griffin had changed his clothes and left the area at the same time as Mr Courtney.

Officers gained access into Mr Griffin's home and "saw blood throughout and around the bath and sink area where he appeared to try and wash himself," the court was told.

The incident was described as "a frenzied and vicious attack involving the use of a weapon after a petty argument where the statement from the injured party says he had accused him of stealing smoke from him."

Mr Griffin's solicitor said his client's current address would not be a suitable bail address but he argued that with the investigation and and forensic testing "going to take a very long time," the defendant could be freed on bail with conditions.

The judge said although there is a presumption in favour of bail in every case unless there were good reasons to conclude otherwise, "the police have outlined circumstances that lead me to conclude there is a strong Prima Facie case."

"The injuries are significant and the defendant's actions in the aftermath of the encounter lead me to conclude that he as indeed seeking to evade the police," the judge added.

The case has been adjourned until the 5 February.