Man denies throwing boiling water over another man at courthouse

A man has appeared in court charged with throwing boiling water at another man inside Strabane courthouse.

The incident happened at Strabane Magistrates' Court, County Tyrone, on Thursday morning.

Corrie Anthony McKenna, 34, with an address at Sheskin Park in Greysteel, appeared before Dungannon Magistrates Court on Saturday.

He is charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a kettle of boiling water, with intent to commit an offence. He denies the charges.

The victim, who suffered burns to his face, neck and shoulders, was initially taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

The charges relate to an incident before a hearing in the case of Dylan McCrossan, a man accused of the murder of Stephen Holmes in February last year.

The accused allegedly attacked the defendant's brother, Richard McCrossan, in the court's waiting area.

The court was told that McKenna was a friend of the murder victim Stephen Holmes.

During proceedings on Saturday, the court heard that McKenna is alleged to have approached Richard McCrossan at about 11:00 BST, when he was about a metre from him, and threw the boiling water at him.

McKenna is then alleged to have fled the scene.

A scuffle ensued between the McCrossan family and the family of the murdered man Stephen Holmes.

McKenna was later arrested at his Greysteel home.

A detective told the court that she could connect the defendant with the charges.

She also told the court that a distinctive orange T-shirt was discovered at McKenna's house after he was arrested.

McKenna admitted that he was in the courthouse but denied the charges.

The judge denied McKenna bail saying that it was "a serious assault case".

The next hearing is scheduled for 13 May.