Brendan Nugent: Suspect silent in first court appearance over ‘attack’ on MP Helen Haines

A man suspected of ramming his car into Australian lawmaker Helen Haines remained silent as he made his first appearance in court on Wednesday. Brendan Nugent, 43, faces three charges over the alleged attack on the Independent MP, as police consider bringing additional charges against him. Ms Haines, 65, was forced to undergo amputation surgery overnight after the alleged attack on Monday and lost her other leg on Wednesday, according to a statement from her husband Phil Haines.She was struck with a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her electoral district office in Wangaratta in Victoria, in what prime minister Anthony Albanese described as a deliberate attack. Mr Nugent appeared at the Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being charged with three offences, including dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and a federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Brendan Nugent departs from the Wangaratta Magistrates Court in Wangaratta, Australia, Wednesday, 21 October 2026 (AP)Additional charges of cannabis cultivation and possession have also been laid against ⁠Mr Nugent, the court filings showed.Floral tributes are placed outside the offices of Australian lawmaker Helen Haines who was critically wounded in a 'targetted' attack, in Wangaratta (AFP/Getty)During his brief court appearance, Mr Nugent looked downcast in a grey jumpsuit, appeared emotionless, staring blankly across the room.His lawyer, Chirag Patel, informed the court that the 43-year-old suffers ​from a ⁠rare neurological condition called idiopathic transverse myelitis – a form of spinal inflammation that has no identifiable underlying cause. According to Mayo Clinic, it is characterised by motor issues, sensory changes, as well as autonomic dysfunction. Mr Nugent ‌was also being treated for concussion, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported, quoting his lawyer. He was not on any prescribed medication. Mr Nugent lived in squalid conditions, with pictures showing dozens of empty bottles as well as unkempt grass outside his home’s front, reported News.com.au. He was unemployed and estranged from his family. People lay flowers outside the office of Australian politician Helen Haines in the northern regional city of Wangaratta (AFP/Getty)His lawyer told the magistrate his client had some mental health concerns and that it was his first time in custody. He did not apply for bail, with the case deferred until the next hearing on 4 February. Magistrate Allison Vaughan asked that he be seen by a mental health professional in the meantime.Anti-terrorism police are among the agencies investigating the incident as police allege the attack was "targeted", adding that they believe it was an isolated incident. “There was nothing known to us that would have arisen, or piqued our interest, or given any indication that [Mr Nugent] was an immediate threat,” said Victoria police’s chief commissioner Mike Bush. There was no intelligence to suggest any threat to Ms Haines, and the Australian Federal Police received no warning of any imminent danger from the alleged attacker, commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters. She was asked whether there were social media posts on his account which included references to conspiracy theories or radicalisation. "What I can say is we didn't have ⁠any specific intelligence that would have indicated something as atrocious as happened on Monday afternoon,” she said. He was, however, on the radar of the local police as his health and behaviour became concerning for neighbours. Police were called to his home repeatedly as neighbours heard shouting or ranting in the middle of the night, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Nugent’s family issued a statement saying they were devastated by the attack on Ms Haines and described her as their “close friend of more than 20 years”. They vowed to assist Victoria police, adding: “We would like to sincerely thank members of the local community and police who came to Helen’s aid yesterday after the shocking and horrific crime.” Mr Bush said investigators were still looking into whether there was a personal connection between Ms Haines and Mr Nugent. “At this point, we don't understand there's any direct personal contact previously. But we're not ruling that out either."