Pair accused of attacking man at flat refused bail

TWO men have been refused bail after they were jointly charged with assaulting a man during a drinking session in a flat in the Waterside area of Londonderry at the weekend.

They were remanded into custody after they appeared before the magistrates court in the city yesterday.

A police officer told District

Judge Ted Magill that part of the victim’s left ear was severed in the assault and that he had to undergo reconstructive surgery in hospital following the incident.

The defendants are Marc Elliott (22) from Duddy’s Court in the Waterside and Tiernan Martin (21) from Casey Court.

Elliott is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing 31 Class A tablets and with assaulting a police officer by biting him on the hand.

Martin is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and with disorderly behaviour in the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine following his arrest on Saturday night.

The police officer said all three had been drinking heavily in a flat in Duddy’s Court. He said the incident was reported to the police by a local resident who saw the victim on the street covered in blood. Both men were arrested at the scene.

The police witness said because of his drunken condition, the victim was unable to say how he sustained his injuries.

He said blood was found on the clothing of both defendants and tests would have to be carried out to determine whose blood it was.

Objecting to bail, the officer said he believed there was a risk of the defendants interfering with the witness and he also believed they would both re-offend if granted bail.

Applying for bail, lawyers for both defendants said it would take many months for forensic and DNA reports in the case to be completed.

Both lawyers also said the injured party had not made a statement of complaint against the defendants.

Refusing bail the District Judge said both defendants faced very serious charges.

He said in February of this year Elliott received a suspended sentence for separate drugs offences and he was currently on bail for other drugs offences.

Mr Magill said Martin is alleged to have committed the offences while on bail for other matters.

He said neither defendant was a suitable candidate for bail and he remanded them both in custody until September 14.