Brendan Nugent, the man charged with attacking independent MP Dr Helen Haines by allegedly ramming her with his vehicle, has claimed the incident was an accident after he 'panicked', according to reports.
Alleged Attack and Injuries
Dr Haines lost both of her legs after being 'pinned' between a Toyota Land Cruiser and another vehicle during an 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, 43, was pulled from the vehicle by witnesses who restrained him until police arrived. He has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Claims of Panic and Denials
Nugent, from Tarrawingee near Wangaratta, has insisted he did not mean to drive into Dr Haines and 'panicked' on the afternoon in question, sources told The Age. He has reportedly denied suggestions he harboured a grudge against the MP or targeted her as a 'proxy' in a dispute with his family.
Nugent's relatives previously described the independent MP as a 'friend for more than 20 years'. Following police confirmation they were examining whether the alleged attack was driven by a family feud, a statement from the Nugent family said: "We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can."
Court Proceedings and Family Response
The family statement also said: "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."
During Nugent's initial court appearance, his solicitor stated he suffers from a rare neurological disorder, idiopathic transverse myelitis. A magistrate at Wangaratta Magistrates Court ordered Nugent to undergo a mental health evaluation ahead of his subsequent court hearing in February. He has not asked for bail and continues to be held in custody.
