Man charged over west Belfast filling station knife attack

The victim underwent surgery on tendons damaged in the knife attack carried out in the Andersonstown Road area in June, a judge was told.

Details emerged as bail was refused to a 29-year-old man charged with his attempted murder.

Gareth Bradley, of Woodbourne Court in the city, also faces counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and possessing a knife with intent to commit attempted murder.

Prosecutors said the victim was approached by two men who arrived at the garage in a taxi as he was withdrawing money early on June 1.

It was alleged that after he gave one of them a cigarette Bradley produced a knife and tried to stab him.

The man raised him arm in a bid to shield himself, but suffered a slash to his arm.

As well as the damage to his tendons he also suffered an eye injury.

Witnesses at the scene told police the weapon had been thrown on to a roof, the court heard.

Forensic tests on the knife are still being carried out.

Bradley was arrested at a nearby location.

Defence counsel Barry Gibson said the accused struggled with addiction problems that were exacerbated by the death of his mother.

Bradley started taking a street drug known as “Budweiser” and has little recollection of the alleged incident, according to his barrister.

Mr Gibson also challenged the attempted murder charge currently faced by his client, stressing the high standard of proof required.

Denying bail, however, Mr Justice Colton held there was a risk of reoffending.