Man accused of shovel attack on ex-partner appears in court in a wheelchair

Gary McKee, 33, is accused of launching an assault which left the woman with a gaping leg wound and missing part of her ear.

He was arrested after police were called to the site in Newcastle, Co Down in the early hours of Monday morning.

McKee appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court in a wheelchair to face charges of causing grievous bodily harm and related offences.

He is further accused of dangerous driving, taking a motor vehicle and theft in connection with two previous incidents.

Police alleged he was behind the wheel of an MG car which sped at officers forced to take evasive action at Brian’s Well Close in the Poleglass area of west Belfast back on December 27, 2024.

It was further claimed that he stole another woman’s vehicle during a drinking session on September 8 last year, punching her about the head when she tried to prevent the theft.

Gardai subsequently located the car, crashed and abandoned across the border near Drogheda.

A number of attempts had been made to locate McKee, previously of Farringdon Gardens, since those incidents, the court heard.

Police were then alerted to an alleged ongoing assault on a woman at the caravan park in Newcastle.

When officers arrived on the scene she claimed McKee attacked her after being refused entry to the property.

“She stated he used a garden chair to smash the windows and door of the caravan, and was able to gain access,” the detective said. “The defendant then used a shovel to attack her, causing a large gaping laceration to the front shin area of her left leg.”

Police observed blood in the woman’s hair and part of her earlobe missing. She required a number of stitches in the wounds.

A second woman connected to McKee also alleged he had attacked her with the shovel.

She claimed he first became violent during an encounter at a bar in the town earlier that night, punching her to the ground before getting on top to inflict further blows.

In a statement provided to police, McKee insisted he had been the victim of a serious assault at the pub.

According to his account, he sustained a dislocated kneecap and needed five stitches for a head wound, but did not want to incriminate anyone.

A defence solicitor claimed police had breached the code of practice in an identification process for the alleged driving offences.

It was also suggested that the stolen car allegations are set to be withdrawn.

Referring to the events in Newcastle, the lawyer highlighted how McKee had been brought into court injured and in a wheelchair.

“There are often two sides and even three sides to every story,” he submitted.

District Judge Rosalie Prytherch was told police have not yet shared CCTV evidence which could confirm what happened that night.

Refusing to grant bail, however, she remanded McKee in custody until April 14.