A court sketch shows Brendan Nugent at the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 21. Photo: AAP Image/Anita Lester
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ANITA LESTER
The man accused of ramming Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines with a vehicle has faced court for the first time.
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Brendan James Nugent, 43, of Tarrawingee, faced Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court for a filing hearing on Wednesday, October 21.
Wearing a grey jumper, Mr Nugent sat quietly in the dock for the five minutes as his matter was heard.
He is facing charges of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, dangerous driving causing serious injury, and intentionally cause serious injury.
The charges come after an incident on Monday, October 19, when Dr Haines was hit by a vehicle as she stood at the boot of her car outside her electorate office in Murphy St, Wangaratta.
Police allege the incident was targeted.
Mr Nugent’s defence counsel told the court his client was suffering from a concussion, and had the neurological disorder idiopathic transverse myelitis, which is caused by inflammation on the spinal cord.
The court also heard it was his first time in custody.
Brendan Nugent, who is accused of ramming Helen Haines with his vehicle, at an anti-logging protest in 2019. Photo: AAP / supplied by Our Strathbogie Forest
Mr Nugent is also facing charges of cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis.
These two charges were laid at Tarrawingee on October 20 – the day he was arrested at his Tarrawingee property.
The hearing was brief, and mainly consisted of legal matters related to when the police must have the brief of evidence to the defence counsel and setting the next court date.
Mr Nugent did not enter any pleas to the charges and did not apply for bail.
He will next appear in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on February 4.
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