County Antrim man appears in Derry court charged with assaulting mother and brother
Ciaran Ledgewood (43) of Meadow Lands in Antrim was charged with the offences that were said to have occurred on June 29
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of a knife and assault causing actual bodily harm against his mother and brother.
Ciaran Ledgewood (43) of Meadow Lands in Antrim was charged with the offences that were said to have occurred on June 29.
Police were initially called by Ledgewood's mother, who told them that he had been constantly in her face until she slapped him, after which he was said to have hit her with a hairdryer.
Following this, the court heard that he was locked outside and tried to kick through the gate of the house.
He was then said to have thrown a garden statue that hit his mother on the back of the head.
Ledgewood's brother was then said to have tried to hold him back with a shovel before Ledgewood allegedly lifted a knife and wounding him.
When questioned by police, he admitted to throwing the statue but claimed that he did not mean to hit his mother with it.
He also denied the charges against his brother, claiming that it was self defence as his brother had hit him with the shovel.
His mother has so far refused to provide a statement and his brother is said to be unsure as to whether he will provide one.
Defence solicitor Brendan Kearney said that tensions had been high within the family after Ledgewood's father had taken ill.
He added that Ledgewood has answered every question asked by police and had no convictions in almost ten years.
District Judge Conor Heaney described the charges as 'very serious', denying bail.
He will appear again on July 7.