Co. Down man accused of attempted murder of police officers after crossbow incident
A Co. Down man appeared in court today accused of the attempted murder of police officers.
David Stevenson appeared at Banbridge Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, by video link from police custody and the 40-year-old confirmed he understood the four charges against him.
Alleged to have been committed on 20 April this year, Stevenson, from Moorfield Court in Kilkeel, was charged with the attempted murder of police officers and possessing a crossbow with intent to commit attempted murder.
The defendant also faces two charges from 19 April, including assault and making a threat to kill a woman.
Giving evidence to the court, Detective Constable Johnston said he was aware of the facts of the case and he believed he could connect Stevenson to each of the offences.
It is understood the charges arise following a four-hour stand-off with police close to Stevenson’s home.
Earlier this week a PSNI spokesperson said: “Upon police arrival the suspect had retreated to a nearby house and a prolonged stand-off ensued.
“Throughout a four-hour period, both local police and specialist armed response crews were subject to sustained attack from within the property, including being threatened with a large sword and targeted with crossbow bolts which narrowly missed responding officers.”
In court today, DC Johnston agreed with defence solicitor Denis Moloney that as a result of being tasered, the defendant was hospitalised for a number of days following his arrest.
DC Johnston also agreed that when Stevenson was interviewed under caution, he was “open and frank with the police as to what happened.” Conceding that “this was a very nasty incident altogether for all parties concerned,” Mr Moloney confirmed that he was not applying for bail today due to issues over a bail address.
The solicitor told Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer that given the proximity of Stevenson’s home to the incident, that an alternative address would have to be identified before an application could be lodged.
DC Johnston told the judge however, that in addition to the address, police also have concerns about further offending.
“He has asked me to make it abundantly clear that he fully regrets this incident totally,” Mr Moloney told the court, adding that despite his lack of memory over comments that were made to police, he regrets those as well.
Remanding Stevenson in custody, Judge Mateer adjourned the case to 6 May.