A man shot twice in the leg by a crossbow staggered to his grandmother's house despite suffering a suspected split femur, a court has heard.
Lisburn Magistrates Court also heard claims that the victim was being beaten about the head and body while 23-year-old Declan Ward shot him with a crossbow bolt, removing the bolt from his left thigh before reloading and shooting him again.
Ward (23), from South Street in Portadown, confirmed he understood the three charges against him.
He is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on October 27, possessing a class A drug and theft of the alleged victim’s bank card, driving licence and his coat.
Two other Craigavon men, 34-year-old John Joseph Mulholland from Ardowen and Brian Ward (31), from Moyraverty Court, appeared in court on Saturday charged with causing actual bodily harm and possessing heroin and each were granted bail.
During a contested application for bail by Declan Ward on Monday, an officer revealed the police “will be asking the PPS to review” the charges on the basis the men acted “as part of a joint enterprise”.
He described how the victim and the defendants had all been drinking and taking drugs in Brian Ward’s home when an argument erupted and Brian Ward and Mulholland began to beat him about the head, face and body with planks.
At one point, according to the police case, Declan Ward armed himself with a crossbow and “ordered him to lower his trousers” before firing a bolt into his left thigh.
Ward removed it and allegedly shot him again in the same thigh and the detective told the court while that was happening “the other co-accused were still kicking and punching the victim to the head and body”.
“He began to leave the property but Declan Ward took his coat and took his wallet, removing a bank card and provisional driving licence,” said the officer.
The emergency services were alerted after the victim managed to walk to his grandmother’s house and he named the trio of defendants to the police. When officers arrived at Brian Ward’s house, all three were there.
Police also found a cross bow as well as the complainant’s bank card and driving licence and a quantity of drugs.
District Judge Rosie Watters expressed surprise the victim had managed to get away despite his injuries and the officer told her the bloody and injured victim “was under substantial fear” at the time.
He revealed that he is still in hospital but doctors suspect that his femur is split so he will potentially need surgery.
Despite defence submissions that he should be freed similar to his co-accused, DJ Watters refused bail. Remanding Ward into custody she adjourned the case to November 24.