A court has heard that the victim of a stabbing in Belfast lost an eye, and his alleged attacker told hospital staff, 'I've killed someone'. Hadi Alodid, 30, of Duncairn Avenue in Belfast, appeared before the city's magistrates' court on Wednesday, charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie. He also faces charges of threatening to kill an NHS radiographer and possessing a knife.
Alodid, a Sudanese national, refused legal representation and made no reply to the charges, which were presented to him through an Arabic interpreter. When asked if he wished to apply for bail, he indicated that he did, but police strongly objected.
A detective told the court that the victim lost his left eye and sustained deep cuts to his head, face, and back. Police received a report of a serious assault in the Kinnaird Avenue area at 10:30 p.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, officers found the defendant armed with a knife and removed him from on top of the victim.
The detective further stated that while receiving treatment for a hand injury at the hospital, the defendant said, 'I've killed someone, I don't know if they are dead,' and told medical staff, 'I will kill you.' The court heard concerns that releasing Alodid could lead to 'significant public disorder' due to 'strong public feeling' about the incident. The detective described the offence as 'extremely serious' and noted it had 'garnered serious media attention,' adding that any further offences would be 'serious and unpredictable in nature.'
The detective also highlighted a flight risk, as the defendant is from Sudan and has links outside Northern Ireland, and may fear for his own safety or a possible long custodial sentence. Alodid made no reply to these points.
Judge Stephen Keown concluded that the risks of releasing the defendant were 'far too great' and would be 'unmanageable by any bail conditions.' He refused bail due to the risk of reoffending, harm to the public, public disorder, and flight risk. Alodid was remanded in custody for four weeks until Wednesday, July 8, when he is due to appear via video-link.
The district judge also issued a warning to young men allegedly called to take to the streets later on Wednesday, stating they could face prison time if they participate in attacks on the community. Judge Keown warned that anyone planning to engage in further disorder in Northern Ireland should 'be prepared to go to prison,' and said the courts 'won't tolerate' any attacks on emergency services.
The judge expressed the court's thoughts were with the victim, the members of the public who intervened, and the emergency services who came to the victim's aid. He commended those members of the public, police, and emergency services who intervened. He noted that emergency services who helped the victim are now 'under attack,' something the courts will not tolerate.
Judge Keown also mentioned a social media call for men over 18 to close streets, wear dark clothes, be prepared to fight, and be arrested. He warned that anyone involved in attacks on the community can 'also expect to go to prison, and that message should be sent out loud and clear.'
