Belfast man charged with GBH after stabbing in Newcastle

Belfast man charged with GBH after stabbing in Newcastle

7 March 2012

A BELFAST man has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following a stabbing in the Burrendale Park estate area of Newcastle at the weekend.

Twenty six year-old Ryan Michael Joseph Hillyard, of Rossnareen Road, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Nathan Owens at Burrendale Park Road on Friday night. At a brief hearing at Downpatrick District Court on Monday, he was also charged with possession of a knife.

Nathan Owens, whose brother Paul was killed in a fatal stabbing in the town last year, received wounds to his back and thigh in the attack.

A police officer told the court that police were called to Burrendale Park Road at 10.50pm on Friday to deal with the incident.

The officer said Hillyard was arrested but denied both the charges when they were put to him in police interview.

He said he had concerns about Hillyard being released on bail due to a history between him and his alleged victim and also because Hillyard had been arrested five times in the past on bench warrants for non-appearance at court.

A defence barrister confirmed to the court that Hillyard denied both the charges and said his client was visiting his girlfriend in Newcastle when the alleged incident occurred.

The barrister explained that Hillyard had problems knowing when to attend court in the past due to his illiteracy, which he said “affects his ability to be where he should be.”

Hillyard was released on his own bail of £500 and a surety from his sister of £500 to reside at her home in Belfast. His bail conditions forbid him from entering the 40mph limits of Newcastle and from contacting any witnesses in the case.

The case was returned to Downpatrick District Court sitting on April 5.