A group of men tore guttering from a house in south Belfast and tried to smash their way inside, a court heard on Monday.
Up to five men attacked the property on Donegall Avenue, smashing front windows and injuring two victims who struggled to keep them out, it was alleged.
Gary Ashwood (44) allegedly instigated the attempt to break into the house in the early hours of Sunday morning, police said.
The window cleaner, of nearby Tavanagh Street in the city, was remanded in custody on charges of aggravated burglary, two counts of common assault, and criminal damage to a car parked outside.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the attack was launched while one of the victims was at home with friends watching the World Cup . As some of them left the property a group of about five men began shouting aggressively at them and started to bang the windows to try to gain entry.
Two of those who had been in the house sustained cuts to their hand and elbow in the struggle before they managed to close the door.
“The males then armed themselves with pieces of plastic guttering which they tore from the wall of the property,” a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer said. “They smashed the front window of the property and glass panels on the front door before pushing their way into the hallway.”
When they were shut out again, the group damaged the wing mirror of a Volkswagen Touran belonging to one of the occupants.
“The victims were able to close the door, and the suspects went on to smash the wing mirror of one of the injured parties’ car, which was parked outside the property, a Volkswagen Touran.”
Ashwood was detained in a nearby street with a gash to his hand and covered in blood, the court heard. He was angry and rambling, and at one point allegedly stated without prompting: “Foreign b******s”.
Police searched his home, seizing a bloodstained T-shirt and arresting another man.
During interviews Ashwood stressed that he wanted to state for the record that he is not a racist.
But opposing bail, the officer cited continuing tensions in Belfast and concerns that vulnerable victims could be targeted again.
“The suspect believed to be the defendant was described as the main instigator,” she added.
“This was an unprovoked attack on an ethnic minority in their own home.”
Prosecutors confirmed the charges have been classed as aggravated by racial hostility.
Defence counsel Michael Boyd told the court Ashwood strongly denies any involvement in the attack.
The barrister said his client had been out drinking for most of the day, lives in the area where he was stopped and provided an explanation that he cut his hand falling on glass.
“He does not recall using that expression in relation to foreigners ... in sobriety he told police that he is not a racist,” Mr Boyd submitted.
Refusing bail and remanding Ashwood in custody until next month, district judge Steven Keown ruled that he poses an unmanageable risk. Keown said: “The police allegations outline that this man was part of a group of racist vigilantes attacking homes.”
Read the full article at The Irish Times →📄Source document: PSNI Detective Inspector Collins
3 reports
RTÉ NewsState / PublicCenter2 days agoA 30-year-old man named Carl Holland died following an assault in Belfast on 12 June. He sustained a serious head injury when he was punched outside a licensed premises. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, while a 46-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. All three suspects have been released on bail. Police are seeking witnesses or anyone with information about the incident.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of a criminal incident without apparent ideological framing. It reports facts such as the victim’s death, the nature of the assault, arrests made, and police appeals for witness information. There is no evident bias in language, emphasis, or sourcing.
Official sources cited
- government PSNI Detective Inspector Collins
The Irish TimesIndependent🔒Center5 days agoA window cleaner named Gary Ashwood (44) has been charged with aggravated burglary, common assault, and criminal damage after allegedly leading an attack on a house in south Belfast. According to court proceedings, up to five men broke into the property on Donegall Avenue, damaging windows and attempting to enter the home. Two individuals inside the house suffered minor injuries during the incident. The attack occurred while one of the victims was at home with friends watching the World Cup. The group reportedly used torn guttering to smash windows and attempted to force their way into the屋内.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a criminal incident without apparent ideological framing. It reports on legal proceedings and includes direct quotes from law enforcement without evident bias toward any political side.
Official sources cited
- court Belfast Magistrates' Court
- government Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
TheJournal.ieIndependentCenter7 days agoTwo men were arrested by police in Belfast after a racially motivated attack on a home in the southern part of the city. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning and involved a group of men approaching a house, shouting aggressively, and confronting residents. It is believed that multiple weapons were used during the attack, which also resulted in damage to a car outside the property. A woman and several young children were inside the house at the time. Two individuals were injured, and the police have classified the incident as a hate crime. Two suspects, aged in their 20s and
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a racially motivated attack and subsequent arrests without apparent ideological framing. It provides factual details about the incident, including police actions, injuries, and the classification of the event as a hate crime. There is no evident slant in language, sourcing, or
Official sources cited
- government PSNI Statement
Ireland