A 43-year-old man charged after independent MP Dr Helen Haines lost both of her legs in an alleged car attack has reportedly claimed the incident was an accident, saying he “panicked” at the time.
Brendan Nugent, from Tarrawingee near Wangaratta, has said he did not intend to drive into Dr Haines and “panicked” on the afternoon of the incident, sources told The Age. He has also reportedly denied holding a grudge against the MP or attacking her as a “proxy” in a feud with his family.
Incident and Charges
Dr Haines was “pinned” between a Toyota Land Cruiser and another vehicle during the incident in the rural Australian city of Wangaratta on Monday, October 19. She remains in a Melbourne hospital in a “serious but stable” condition.
Nugent was wrestled from the car by onlookers who detained him before police arrived. He has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Family Response and Court Proceedings
Nugent’s family previously described the independent MP as a “friend for more than 20 years”. After police confirmed they were investigating whether the alleged attack was motivated by a family feud, as Nugent is estranged from his relatives, a statement from the family said: “We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can.”
“We would like to sincerely thank members of the local community and police who came to Helen’s aid yesterday after the shocking and horrific crime.”
In Nugent’s first court appearance, his lawyer said he suffered from a rare neurological condition, idiopathic transverse myelitis. A judge at Wangaratta Magistrates Court ordered Nugent to be sent for a mental health assessment before his next court date in February. He has not applied for bail and remains in custody.
