Conlig: Bail refused for ‘frenzied and vicious’ attack accused

The court was told that having “identified the defendant as the assailant,” police obtained CCTV footage which showed Griffin leaving his property at 07:47 and then allegedly being involved “in an altercation with the injured party”.

The court was told that, the same footage showed that before the police arrived at 08:15, Mr Griffin had changed his clothes and left the area at the same time as Mr Courtney.

Officers gained access into Mr Griffin’s home and “saw blood throughout and around the bath and sink area where he appeared to try and wash himself,” the court was told.

The incident was described as “a frenzied and vicious attack involving the use of a weapon after a petty argument where the statement from the injured party says he had accused him of stealing smoke from him.”

Mr Griffin’s solicitor said his client’s current address would not be a suitable bail address but he argued that with the investigation and and forensic testing “going to take a very long time,” the defendant could be freed on bail with conditions.

The judge said although there is a presumption in favour of bail in every case unless there were good reasons to conclude otherwise, “the police have outlined circumstances that lead me to conclude there is a strong Prima Facie case.”

“The injuries are significant and the defendant’s actions in the aftermath of the encounter lead me to conclude that he as indeed seeking to evade the police,” the judge added.

The case has been adjourned until the 5 February.