A CO Derry man has been ordered to stand trial accused of accused of attacking a family in their own home.
Appearing at Coleraine Magistrates Court by videolink from prison, 30-year-old William McFaull confirmed he was aware of the three charges against him.
McFaull, originally from Elms Park in Coleraine but now listed as c/o HMP Maghaberry, faces charges of aggravated burglary where he was allegedly armed with a metal bar and attempted to inflict grievous bodily harm and two charges of common assault, all alleged to be committed on 14 May this year.
None of the alleged facts were opened in courtbut appealing for information at the time, a police spokesperson outlined how three masked men armed with a sledge hammer, a metal bar and piping attacked the two men and a woman in their Bushmills home.
In court today defence counsel Grant Powles conceded a prosecution submission there was a Prima Facie case against McFaull.
With the case returned to Antrim Crown Court, the PPS asked for the arraignment to be scheduled for 27 January but Dep. District Judge Chris Holmes said with the impending strike by the Criminal Bar “that’s not going to work.”
Addressing McFaull directly, Judge Holmes told him “as you may be aware barristers in NI are not working in January so your case cannot proceed.”
He ordered that McFaull will appear at Antrim Crown Court by videolink on 13 January “for the judge to decide what he is going to do with it.”