Man charged over alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines appears in court

Summary

Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged with three offences over the alleged attack on independent Indi MP Helen Haines and appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. ABC reports that a lawyer told the court Nugent has a rare neurological condition. BBC News reports that Nugent stayed silent during his first hearing. A separate BBC report says Haines lost both legs after the alleged car attack, according to her husband, and that her alleged attacker faces multiple charges.

Timeline

1. ABC

   20 Oct 2026, 23:35 UTCSource ↗

   ABC reports that 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, charged with three offences over the alleged attack on independent MP for Indi Helen Haines, appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates' Court, where a lawyer told the court he has a rare neurological condition.

2. BBC

   21 Oct 2026, 03:58 UTCSource ↗

   BBC News, in a video report by reporter Katy Watson, says 43-year-old Brendan Nugent stayed silent during his first hearing in Wangaratta, where the alleged attack on Helen Haines was described in court.

3. BBC

   21 Oct 2026, 07:56 UTCSource ↗

   BBC reports that Helen Haines lost both legs after an alleged car attack, according to her husband, and that her alleged attacker, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, faces multiple charges and appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.