A west Belfast teenager appeared in court today charged with the attempted murder of a middle-aged man left critically ill after being attacked with a hammer in his home in the city last month.
Mr Maurice McCracken (54) suffered head injuries when a gang of four men attacked him in his home at Strangford Avenue in the exclusive Malone Road area of south Belfast.
At Belfast Magistrates Court Mr Kevin Barry Moyna (18) unemployed, of Ross Road, Belfast, was remanded in custody charged with attempting to murder Mr McCracken on March 9th.
He was also charged with entering a house in Strangford Avenue armed with a hammer, causing grievous bodily harm to Mr McCracken and assaulting his wife Maureen and causing her actual bodily harm.
He was further charged with aggravated burglary, assaulting another couple after entering their nearby house armed with a hammer, stealing car keys and taking and driving away a car.
A police sergeant told the court that Mr Moyna denied the assaults but admitted being there when they took place.
He was remanded in custody until May 2nd. Another man has already been in court charged in connection with the attacks.
PA