Charlotte Reat, whose mother was murdered on Christmas Day, had to be restrained as she shouted, “it's not fair, he's a waste” at accused Nathan Ward.
The 19-year-old charged with the murder of Jayne Toal Reat, his father’s girlfriend, who died trying to save her daughter, in Lisburn, County Antrim, on Christmas Day, had to be restrained as the courtroom erupted on Friday.
Nathan Ward is accused of murdering Jayne Toal Reat (43) along with the attempted murder of her daughter Charlotte (21), and his own father Joseph Tweedie, who turned 50 on Christmas Day. The incident took place at the family home, on Mornington Lane, in Lisburn.
Ward appeared for a short hearing at Craigavon Magistrates' Court in Lisburn, with both his arms in casts, supported by slings. His face was wrapped with blue bandages.
Charlotte Reat, a dancer, had to be physical restrained in court as she leapt towards Ward shouting “It's not fair, it's not fair, he's a waste.”
The young woman, who lost her mother on Monday, had sever bruising and stitched cut above her right eye. She was held back by friends and relatives, who told her “it’s not worth it”.
Ward, flanked by guards, also had to be restrained.
As he was being led away Charlotte’s father, Simon Reat, lunged toward the dock shouting “What the f**k did you do Nathan? What the f**k did you do Nathan?” Armed police were forced to prevent him from getting to the dock.
Emotional scenes as 19-year-old man appears in court accused of stabbing nurse Jane Toal Reat to death in her Lisburn home on Christmas Day https://t.co/laA39NUYtb pic.twitter.com/6dbS2aTeuy
— UTV Live News (@UTVNews) December 29, 2017
Eight police officers became involved in quelling the emotional courtroom before the presiding judge District Judge Watters asked the relatives to “leave my courtroom.”
A detective inspector from the Police Service of Northern Ireland 's Major Investigation Team told the court that they connect Ward to all three charges, of murder and two of attempted murder.
Ward’s lawyer, Joel Lindsay, granted to him by legal aid, said no application was being made for bail at this stage.
Judge Watters remanded Ward in custody. He will appear at Lisburn Magistrates' Court, via video link, on Jan 8, 2018.
Charlotte Reat tripped while leaving court and was carried to a waiting car by relatives, in the car park.
No details of the Christmas Day incident were given in court. However, the Daily Mail report that Jayne Toal Reat sustained several fatal stab wounds during the attack. Police and paramedics were called to the family home on Christmas morning.
It is also known that during the attack Charlotte Reat sustained several knife wounds to her head, neck and face. Ward’s father, Joseph Tweedie, was also stabbed.
Mornington, Lisburn where it’s understood a woman has been murdered. Police have arrested a 19-year-old man. @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/c7S1Zl02k7
— Richard Morgan (@Journo_Rich) December 25, 2017
Just 15 hours after the attack Charlotte posted a heartbreaking tribute to her mother on Facebook. Her mother, a 43-year-old nurse, had saved her daughter’s life.
She wrote:
“Today will be a day i will never forget as my mum was murdered infront of my eyes and then later died in my arms. i can still feel her in my arms and hear her screams of pain and see the panic on her face.
'My mum died. I was stabbed twice in the head once in my face and once to the back of my neck.
'I am with family and have to identify my beautiful mothers body tomorrow which is not something i ever expected to be doing.
'Jayne Toal Reat I just wish i could trade places with you.
'You're my hero forever and always and ill never forget you and i promise i will get you justice! that scum wont get away with this if its the last thing i do! [sic]”
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