A Belfast taxi driver denied trying to kill a man bludgeoned with a hammer in the early hours of New Year's Day, a court heard today.
Mr John Airdrie (38) appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with attempting to murder Mr Jason Miller (32) at Broadway Parade in south Belfast.
The victim, from the Dunmurry area of south Belfast, suffered serious head injuries and remains in a stable condition in hospital.
A detective constable told the court that when the charge was put to him the accused said: "I didn't try murdering him."
When a second charge of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a claw hammer, was put to him he replied: "I am sorry it has come to this possession. It shouldn't have come to this."
Mr Airdrie was remanded in custody to appear again by video link on January 28th.
PA