Refused bail after alleged nurse attacks

Robert Davey was refused bail amid claims he rained blows on one victim as she lay on the ground and locked another in a staff room to inflict further violence at Lagan Valley Hospital.

They suffered injuries including whiplash and ligament damage, a judge was told.

Prosecutors had argued that Davey should not be released because he poses a serious danger to the public.

The 19-year-old, of Drumbeg Drive in Lisburn, Co Antrim, faces charges of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and false imprisonment.

He is accused of launching unprovoked attacks while a voluntary inpatient on the ward in August last year.

Davey was eventually restrained on the ground until police arrived at the hospital.

CCTV footage captured the incident, prosecutor Kate McKay said.

Opposing bail, she argued: “This is a young man we would say is very much a danger to the public.

“There’s a major aggravating factor when it’s medical staff assaulted in this way.”

Defence counsel contended that Davey should get out of custody due to the delay in the case reaching any trial.

But refusing bail, Judge Gordon Kerr QC ruled there was no change of circumstances to warrant his release.