Accused man attacked in the dock

A man accused of murdering 18-year-old Eliza Ward in the Belfast restaurant where they both worked was attacked in the dock at a magistrates' court yesterday. Gerard Patrick Stewart, 20, of Iris Drive, Belfast, had just been remanded in custody when a man raced from his seat and forced his way into the dock. He grabbed Stewart by the neck and started to punch him around the head and face, then appeared to try to gouge his eyes.

It took police several minutes to restore order and detain the attacker. An RUC inspector said the incident was being investigated. Ms Ward was stabbed to death at Cafe Society, where she was manageress, on 17 July. The restaurant owner, Renee Lea, 52, was stabbed in the back in the same incident and Stewart, who was employed as a kitchen porter, is also charged with her attempted murder. He was remanded in custody until 16 September.