Stabbing accused banned from Belfast

The prohibition was imposed on 25-year-old Cameron McClements as part of strict terms under which he was granted bail.

He is charged with attempted murder over the incident at the Scottish Provident Building on September 10 last year.

Police have claimed the victim was stabbed up to five times as he tried to escape from the premises on Donegall Square West in the city centre.

McClements, of Gloucester Park in Hillsborough, faces a further count of possessing a kitchen knife in public.

The two men were said to have become acquainted through a gambling website, with the defendant allegedly launching the attack after arriving for an afternoon meeting. A previous court heard he was suffering from a psychotic episode at the time.

Indications were given that the charges will be defended on the grounds of insanity.

During a renewed bail application a consultant psychiatrist said McClements is in remission following months of hospital treatment.

Questioned by prosecution counsel Lauren Cheshire, the psychiatrist confirmed he would alert the authorities if any treatment was refused.

According to Ms Cheshire the alleged victim is increasingly fearful of reprisals. “It’s incumbent on me to relay to the court the level of extreme distress the injured party is dealing with at the prospect of a release on bail,” she said.

Mr Justice Huddleston granted bail under “very stringent conditions”, including that the accused can only leave the house if accompanied by one of his parents and is not to enter Belfast.