Man stabbed eight times in alleged retaliation for slapping incident in Co Antrim pub

Police claimed brothers Martin and Danny Steele were both attacked by a group of assailants at the property on the Templepatrick Road in Doagh last week.

Details emerged as three men, including an uncle and nephew, were remanded in custody jointly charged with attempted murder.

Jordan Campbell, 32, of Kellburn Park in Ballyclare; Michael Campbell, 46, from Wedderburn Gardens in Belfast; and Sam Kirkpatrick, 31, of Ballyclare Road in Newtownabbey, also face counts of possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit murder, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard Martin Steele was discovered bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds to his torso and arm at his home shortly after 11pm on October 22.

Danny Steele was also present with significant facial bruising and swelling.

The brothers told police they had been drinking with Jordan Campell and others at a pub near Ballyclare when a row broke out earlier that evening.

CCTV recordings from the bar allegedly depicted Jordan Campbell accusing Martin Steele of disrespect and stating: “You’re a moment away from me hitting you round the face with a glass.”

Following the exchange of words both men then walked into the smoking area.

An investigating detective said: “Martin appears to slap Jordan once to the side of the head, resulting in him falling to the ground.”

Members of staff and others intervened to split them up before everyone present left the pub.

An hour later Michael Campbell allegedly phoned Danny Steele and asked both brothers to come out of their house. At that stage five men emerged from a Nissan car to launch an attack before the vehicle left the scene, according to police.

Martin Steele sustained a total of eight puncture wounds which required a total of 38 stitches and a laceration to his liver. Two of the accused were also injured, with Michael Campbell claiming he was bitten on the thumb.

All three defendants were detained after they attended the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in the early hours of October 23.

During interviews Jordan Campbell denied assaulting Danny Steele and insisted he had no ill-will towards either of the brothers.

Michael Campbell told police he only went with his nephew (Jordan Campbell) to the house in a bid to achieve a reconciliation with the brothers.

“He said that Martin sent Jordan a text to apologise and Jordan did not accept this,” the detective added. “He denied shouting ‘kill him’ or ‘kill them’... denied having any weapons or seeing how Martin sustained his injuries.”

The court heard the two brothers are also distant relatives of the Campbell family.

In his statement Martin Steele confirmed that he knew he was being stabbed, but could not identify who inflicted the wounds.

Police disclosed he was also arrested for suspected offences related to the same incident but released on bail pending further inquiries.

Michael Campbell’s solicitor, Mark Austin, stressed he had not been present in the bar. “Mr Campbell is quite clear he was invited up by the Steele brothers to try and draw a line under whatever happened earlier that night,” the lawyer said.

Barrister Michael Halleron, for Jordan Campbell, said no-one can be seen with a knife outside the house due to a blind spot in the CCTV footage.

Arguing that his client was also stabbed, counsel insisted there remains uncertainty over who initiated any attack. “It appears this was all very quick,” he added.

With Kirkpatrick making no application for bail, District Judge Francis Rafferty refused to release either of his co-accused and remanded all three men in custody until November 23.

He ruled: “Anybody alleged to be taking a knife to settle an argument or settle a score is not a suitable candidate for bail.”