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Man accused over violent raid on home of wheelchair user refused bail

Brian O'Hagan (25) was refused bail at the High Court in Belfast amid claims he took part in a burglary in Derry
Brian O'Hagan (25) was refused bail at the High Court in Belfast amid claims he took part in a burglary in Derry Brian O'Hagan (25) was refused bail at the High Court in Belfast amid claims he took part in a burglary in Derry

A MAN accused of a "nasty" raid on the home of a wheelchair user who was allegedly knocked out his chair and kicked in the head, has been refused bail.

Brian O'Hagan (25) was refused bail at the High Court amid claims he took part in the burglary in Derry where the victim was knocked over and kicked.

Referring to the alleged offence, Lord Justice Treacy said: "Someone prepared to do that to a vulnerable individual, God knows where they would stop."

O'Hagan, of Donal Casey Court in Derry, denies entering a nearby premises as a trespasser on October 24.

A mobile phone, key, key ring and £57.10 in cash were stolen, according to the charge.

Three people are suspected of breaking into the flat occupied by a man who uses a wheelchair.

He was allegedly threatened and told to hand over money, knocked out of his chair and kicked to the head, a previous court heard.

O'Hagan was said to have been arrested after being subsequently located in undergrowth.

The court was told when police called the alleged victim's number a phone found in O'Hagan's property rang.

Defence counsel Barry Gibson said his client insists he was in the general area of the burglary and found a phone.

O'Hagan claims he then went into bushes after becoming scared when an unmarked car approached.

During exchanges Lord Justice Treacy remarked: "This is a particularly nasty incident."

Denying bail, he added that the "degree of terror and injury inflicted far exceed the value of the goods".