Belfast stabbing: 'Murder attempt' may have targeted wrong victim, police say

A man who was stabbed in the chest with a broken bottle in an alleged murder attempt may have been targeted by mistake, a court has heard.

Belfast men Emmanuel Henry and James Day, both 22, are accused of attempting to murder a man at a flat in Dunluce Avenue in the city on 2 July.

A court heard on Monday that police believe the attack on the 33-year-old "is a case of mistaken identity".

One of the men was granted bail while the other remains in custody.

The victim was stabbed with a broken bottle that missed his heart by about 5mm and punctured the surrounding muscle.

He also sustained a serious laceration to his arm.

Mr Henry, from Eliza Street Terrace, and Mr Day, from Knockbreda Drive, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court charged with attempted murder and aggravated burglary with intent to steal.

A police officer told the court that the attack had been a "very serious assault on the victim", and the injury to his arm was so severe that he "may never regain full use" of it.

He added that the incident was premeditated, and that when the group of five men and two women entered the flat one was heard to say it was the wrong house.

The officer said that if that was the case, the intended victim is still at risk from an attack, "possibly murder", and police were therefore objecting to bail.

A defence solicitor for Mr Day said his client had been drinking before to the incident and "has no recollection" of being in the area.

He said there was no evidence to suggest Mr Day was in the property, and this was compounded by the fact that he was not picked out at a subsequent identification process.

He added that his client's parents were "confident they could keep him on a leash" if he was released on bail.

The judge granted Mr Day bail and imposed a series of conditions, including a curfew and a ban on drinking alcohol.

Mr Henry's solicitor said there was "no question" of his client requesting bail "at this stage" and he was remanded in custody.

Both men will appear in court again on 3 August.