A paranoid schizophrenic accused of trying to murder a man in south Belfast early on New Year’s Day has no memory of the alleged attack, a court has heard.
Neil Megaw (31) was remanded in custody after police claimed he was a danger to the public.
Mr Megaw, of Belgravia Avenue in the city, was arrested over the stabbing in the stomach of a 22-year-old man outside a bar on University Road.
He appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday on charges of attempted murder of Mark Armstrong and possession of a knife.
A police officer claimed she could connect the accused with the offences, adding that witnesses alleged they saw him on the street brandishing a knife.
“This attack was an unprovoked, random attack by a male who has mental health issues,” Detective Constable Helen Simmons said.
“I believe he’s a danger not only to the general public but also to himself.”
Ms Simmons also revealed that following his arrest Mr Megaw threatened to take his own life.
Michael Madden, defending, told the court his client remembered nothing about the alleged attack, which happened at around 1.45am.
Mr Megaw, who was on medication, had been drinking that night, he said.
Refusing bail, magistrate Fiona Bagnall said the risk to others and Mr Megaw himself was too great. He was remanded in custody until January 30.
