Woman stabbed repeatedly with machete during 'frenzied' north Belfast attack, court told

A woman was slashed repeatedly with a machete during a “frenzied” attack in north Belfast, a court has heard.

Police alleged the victim was chased and stabbed multiple times to her legs by a man she confronted about abusive social media comments.

James Murray, 22, is accused of carrying out the attack in North Queen Street on Tuesday night.

Murray, of Finn House in the nearby New Lodge area, denies charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing an offensive weapon in public and improper use of a public communications network.

He was refused bail at Belfast Magistrates’ Court and remanded in custody until next month.

Police discovered the woman at the scene with serious wounds to her lower limbs.

It was revealed that she sustained at least six deep lacerations and will require surgery to repair nerve damage.

The victim claimed Murray inflicted the injuries after she challenged him outside his block of flats about posting abusive comments online.

Referring to her initial account, a detective alleged: “As they spoke the defendant produced a large machete-style knife… and chased her into a garden in North Queen Street where she fell to the ground and curled herself up into a ball.

“He repeatedly swiped and stabbed her legs in a frenzied attack.

“As the victim was face down on the ground attempting to crawl away, the defendant continued to stab her to the back of the legs despite her begging him to stop.”

Armed response police officers went to Murray's home after witnesses identified him, the court heard.

Quantities of suspected cannabis, a jacket and blood-stained phone were seized from the property.

Murray also appeared to have blood on his ear, according to the detective.

During interviews he denied carrying out the stabbing, describing the allegations as lies and “stupid as f***”.

District Judge Anne Marshall was told the victim has not yet made a formal statement because she is to undergo surgery on her leg and foot.

“She will be remaining in hospital for at least the next week and has been left with significant nerve damage to her left leg and has in excess of six deep lacerations to her lower limbs and a number of other superficial wounds,” the detective added.

Defence solicitor Mark Austin argued that it was a case of “mistaken recognition” by a victim who travelled from west Belfast to confront his client.

“When she was in the New Lodge area she saw a male with a machete-type weapon and turned on her heels and ran,” the lawyer said.

“Mr Murray is clear in his instructions that he is not that male.”

Amid the frenzied circumstances the victim wrongly assumed that his client carried out the attack, Mr Austin submitted.

Pressed on a possible innocent explanation for the alleged presence of blood on Murray and his phone, the lawyer replied: “He had a rag nail on his baby finger.”

Bail was refused, however, due to the potential risk of further offences.

Remanding Murray in custody until February 9, Judge Marshall said: “The reason there isn’t an injured party statement yet is because this girl is in hospital getting her legs sewn back together.”

It was one of the biggest news stories of our time - and it's still not over. So what did Boris Johnson know about Downing Street’s notorious parties? With fresh revelations from our Number 10 sources, in their own words, listen to the inside story...