Man was allegedly slashed in face with a blade in Larne after being threatened with a 'Chelsea smile'
A court was told a 37-year-old with a Larne address allegedly threatened to give a man a "Chelsea smile" before slashing his face with a blade.
John Bryan Bowers, of Glenarm Road, is charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possessing a 'blade' as an offensive weapon on February 20.
He appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday in relation to breaching bail he had previously been given on the charges.
He was not at a bail address in Lisburn; he breached a night time curfew; and was in Larne on Wednesday in breach of his conditions.
Police objected to the defendant being released again on bail. The court heard on February 20 police received a call saying a man had been "stabbed" at a Larne address.
It was reported the defendant was at the property around 8.50pm and an argument lead to a "physical altercation" and Bowers allegedly "threatened to give the injured party a Chelsea smile".
District Judge Nigel Broderick asked: "Is that meant to be a knife across the mouth?" and a police officer said yes.
The defendant had allegedly produced a blade and slashed the injured party's right cheek causing a three-inch laceration. The injured party was taken to hospital and required 16 stitches to his face.
When interviewed the defendant told police the other man had instigated a "scuffle".
Bowers said he did not cause an injury and said he had not brought a knife with him nor at any time did he use a knife/blade. He denied making any reference to a "Chelsea smile".
The court was told the defendant allegedly sent text messages "apologising for the incident and referencing a paramilitary group".
Bowers told police he "cannot read and write" and did not recall sending messages.
It was alleged he had travelled to and from the property by bike and a bicycle was found in a house search.
A report had been made of a person seen throwing something over a wall into an area near a church and during a police search a "blade of a cut-throat type razor was located".
The police officer said the defendant is a "managed violent offender". A defence barrister said Bowers has an "ongoing drink problem".
Bail was refused and the case was adjourned to June 4.