I wouldn’t inflict you on community, judge tells attack accused

A LONDONDERRY man accused of “a cowardly, brutal bullying attack” on a wheelchair user has been refused bail after a judge said he wouldn’t “inflict this man on any community”.

Brian Gerard O’Hagan (25) of Donald Casey Court appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with entering a premises as a trespasser on October 24.

The court heard that police were called to reports of a burglary and in the background they could hear a voice saying: “I am going to knife you, give me the money.”

A police officer told the court the victim was a vulnerable person who used a wheelchair.

He said it appeared that three people, two males and a female, had smashed their way into the flat, knocked the victim out of his chair and kicked him in the head.

It was said the intruders had demanded his bank card and said if he gave them the wrong card “he would be shot”.

When police arrived they saw a man run off and hide in some undergrowth.

Officers found O’Hagan hiding there. The court heard he was arrested and after caution told police: “Go and f *** off would you.”

The court heard that the intruders took a mobile phone and a landline phone from the alleged injured party and a phone was found in the accused’s property. Police phoned the alleged injured party’s number and the phone in O’Hagan’s property rang.

A bag with 34 pound coins was also found on him.

The officer opposed bail, saying that it had been “a vicious violent attack on an individual who is vulnerable”.

A defence solicitor said it could be some time before the case comes to court and asked for bail to an address outside the city.

District Judge Barney McElholm said it was a case likely to go to a higher court and he could not think of an address suitable “for a person like this”.

Mr McElholm, who told the court he would not “inflict” O’Hagan on any community, remanded him in custody to appear again on November 22.