An old-age pensioner charged with shooting three teenagers after a stone-throwing attack on his home last Friday night was released from prison yesterday. Mr Albert Ronald New (74), a widower, from George Avenue, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, was freed on bail in the High Court in Belfast until his trial later this year. He was remanded in custody last Monday on charges of injuring the teenagers with his shotgun.
Mr New was charged with attempting to murder Mr James Morrow (17) and with maliciously wounding Mr David Valls (16) and Ms Caroline Harper (15).
Ms Jackie Orr, prosecuting, said that Mr Morrow had suffered a spinal wound. His condition was stable, but he might be paralysed. The other teenagers had been struck in the legs and back and had to have surgery to remove pellets.
Counsel said that Mr New had told police he was cleaning his shotgun in his home at 11.50 p.m. last Friday when a stone was thrown at his living-room window.
"He said he loaded the shotgun and went outside with the intention of frightening teenagers he believed were responsible," Ms Orr said. "He said he fired at the teenagers, who were about 80 yards away, and aimed over their heads. But a witness has claimed that he aimed in a deliberate manner and did not shoot skywards."
Mr New's solicitor, Mr Alan Lockhart, said his client had told police that the incident was the culmination of a series of events, including windows being broken in his home. "He went out with the intention of frightening the teenagers and not to cause injury," Mr Lockhart said. "He very much regrets this whole incident and hopes that the injured teenagers make full and speedy recoveries."