Two teens in court charged with attempted murder

Two 19-year-old men have appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a gang armed with a knife and other weapons assaulted three men in Lisburn.

It happened in Mountview Drive at about 01:40 GMT on Friday and the victims included a father and a son.

Jack Pedlow, from Causeway Meadows in Lisburn, and Michael Chitowo, of no fixed address, were remanded in custody after the judge refused bail.

Lisburn Magistrates' Court was told that police recovered a claw hammer, a metal bar and clothing with stab marks from the blood-stained scene.

It was claimed the attack stemmed from an alleged £500 debt after the two accused allegedly ordered drugs to be sent to the home of one of the victims.

The court heard that a witness had seen a silver Volkswagen Golf driving past a property in Mountview Drive a number of times on Friday morning.

When the victims came outside, they were "immediately attacked", it was alleged.

Two of the victims were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.

A police constable told the court the father sustained wounds to his head and torso while his son sustained wounds to his torso and legs.

The third victim managed to run away from the scene of the attack.

The officer said this man later told police that Mr Pedlow and Mr Chitowo "had ordered drugs to be delivered to his home on multiple occasions".

"When he told them that he wanted no further part in this operation, they claimed that the last package had been light and that he owed them £500."

The court heard the victim was then sent "numerous messages containing threats of violence."

Following the attack, Mr Pedlow was arrested at his home and police noted he had a hand injury and there was a "trail of blood" from the front door to his bedroom.

A blood-stained hockey stick was recovered from the property.

Mr Chitowo and an 18-year-old man were arrested in a car on the Saintfield Road.

When police searched the vehicle they uncovered blood and a ski mask inside the vehicle as well as a small amount of cannabis hidden in the petrol cap.

The 18-year-old man remains in police custody.