Man, 18, remanded in custody charged with attempted murder in Belfast

By David Young, PA

An 18-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with attempted murder following the stabbing of a man in south Belfast.

Yasser Oumeraci is also charged with possession of a knife with intent to commit an indictable offence in connection with the incident on the Ormeau Road on Saturday March 1st.

A 51-year-old man required hospital treatment after the stabbing. He has since been discharged from hospital.

Oumeraci, of St Gemma’s Court in Belfast, appeared before a district judge at the city’s magistrates’ court on Wednesday.

He is also facing three other charges in relation to separate incidents.

He faces a count of threats to kill a man on March 7th; of criminal damage to a car on a date between February 24th and 27th; and of possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife, again on a date between February 24th and 27th.

Oumeraci was initially attested under the Terrorism Act however he was ultimately not charged under that legislation.

With the assistance of an interpreter, he spoke briefly at the outset of the hearing on Wednesday to confirm he understood the charges.

The accused made no application for bail.

His solicitor Sinead Marmion, from Phoenix Law, asked that a psychiatric assessment be undertaken of her client in custody.

When asked by the judge, Steven McKeown, whether Oumeraci consented for the results of the assessment to be shared with those involved in the case, the accused refused.

The judge said his refusal may affect the court’s ability to determine his suitability for bail at a later date.

“If he does not consent to it being shared the court will be somewhat hamstrung,” said the judge.

He remanded Oumeraci into custody for four weeks. His case will be mentioned again in court on April 16th.