Friends accused of stabbing each other after taking drink and drugs

Lee Whyte, 33, and Jonathan Beggs, 35, both claimed they were the victim of a knife attack after being found together covered in blood at a house in the Bentinck Street area last week.

Whyte, of Finmore Court in the city, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

Beggs has already been remanded in custody accused of the same offences against him.

The pair started drinking together at a house associated with Beggs on the morning of March 26, according to an investigating detective. He also allegedly took cocaine as the two men became increasingly intoxicated during the meet-up.

Police and paramedics were then called to reports of a stabbing at the scene shortly after 2pm. Whyte suffered a punctured lung, while Beggs required treatment for a chest wound.

In interviews they accused each other of inflicting their respective injuries and denied acting violently.

“Both accounts are that they were attacked by the other party initially, any injury to the other could not be accounted for,” the detective said.

Beggs, who appeared in court on Saturday, is also accused of disorderly behaviour over his conduct at hospital.

District Judge Steven Keown heard the two men were long-standing friends.

Opposing Whyte’s application for bail, police claimed he has “a propensity for violence”.

“He was invited into the home as a friend and was in possession of a suspected weapon, showing he has no issue with carrying and using it for such sinister means,” the detective added.

Whyte’s barrister, Michael Boyd, said he strongly denies inflicting any wounds on his co-accused who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

“His family contacted the defendant, telling him Beggs had been hearing voices and was in a distressed state,” the lawyer submitted.

“He went to spend time with him and they took drink together in the house.

“The last thing he does remember is being struck very hard, and coming round in the back of the ambulance.”

Whyte was refused bail and remanded in custody until April 27.

Judge Keown stated: “His drug problem seems to me to be completely out of control (and) the risks are far too great.”