Man denies attempted murder

A man has appeared in court in Newtownards charged with attempted murder.

It follows a serious assault on a 20-year-old man in Ballynahinch, County Down, on Sunday morning.

The victim was coming back from a nightclub on a special bus when when it broke down just outside the town.

He and some other passengers decided to walk the short distance into Ballynahinch, but were attacked by a group of people as they passed a church on Lisburn Street at about 0400 BST.

On Tuesday, Andrew Thomas Steenson, 35, a kitchen sprayer, of Langley Road, Ballynahinch, denied the attempted murder of the man and having an offensive weapon, namely a piece of wood.

Newtownards Magistrates Court was told when both charges were put to Mr Steenson he replied: "Definitely not guilty."

He was remanded in custody until 10 July.