Man (31) to stand trial for attempted murder following north Belfast knife attack that triggered riots
An asylum seeker accused of a serious knife attack which triggered rioting across Belfast is to stand trial for attempted murder, a judge ordered today.
The 31-year-old is facing prosecution over the stabbing in the north of the city which left victim Stephen Ogilvie partially blinded.
Sudanese national Hadi Alodid appeared remotely from custody at Belfast Magistrates Court to be told that he has a case to answer on the charges against him.
Video footage circulated widely online showed members of the public intervening in a bid to stop the assault on Mr Ogilvie at Kinnaird Avenue on June 8 this year.
One of those who went to his aid repeatedly struck the assailant with a hurling stick before PSNI officers arrived. Police later disclosed that he had lost one eye and sustained severe damage to the other.
Serious disorder erupted in the aftermath of the attack, with some families were forced to flee their homes as properties, cars and a bus were set alight in parts of Belfast.
Alodid, with an address at Duncairn Gardens in the city, is charged with attempted murder and possessing a bladed article in public. He also faces a further count of threatening or abusive behaviour following the stabbing incident.
Sitting with his arms folded in a booth at Maghaberry Prison throughout the brief hearing, Alodid spoke through an interpreter to confirm he understood the allegations against him.
A newly appointed defence solicitor told the court he had consulted with Alodid about the case. Prosecution submissions that the accused has a prima facie case to answer were not contested.
Granting the Crown’s application, Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter ordered: “(The accused) is returned to the Crown Court in Belfast on a date to be fixed.”
With Alodid set to have two barristers represent him at trial due to the seriousness of the charges, no application for bail was mounted. He will next appear in court for an arraignment hearing at a future stage