Lawyer tells court Brendan Nugent has rare neurological condition
Brendan Nugent's lawyer told court his client had mental health concerns and that it was his first time in custody. (X)
The man accused of driving his vehicle into federal MP Helen Haines outside her electorate office has faced court in Wangaratta, his lawyer saying he suffers from a rare neurological condition.
Brendan Nugent, 43, was flanked by security guards as he has brought into a small courtroom, which was packed with news reporters, shortly after 10am.
The Tarrawingee man is facing charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Mr Nugent was charged on Tuesday evening over the alleged attack on Ms Haines, with witnesses saying his Toyota Landcruiser repeatedly rammed into the 65-year-old Indi MP.
Ms Haines remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital and had one of her legs amputated.
Wearing a grey jumper and black pants, Mr Nugent sat in the court dock flanked by security guards, metres away from police and people in the public gallery.
His lawyer told Magistrate Allison Vaughan his client had some mental health concerns and that it was his first time in custody.
"My client suffers from Idiopathic transverse myelitis. It's a neurological disorder and he's been suffering from concussion," the lawyer said.
The lawyer said Mr Nugent was not currently medicated and it was unclear if he had since a doctor since his arrest.
There were no concerns about Mr Nugent withdrawing from drugs, the lawyer said.
Idiopathic transverse myelitis is a spinal cord condition, with symptoms that can cause paralysis, numbness and tingling and sharp pain.
Further details of the alleged offending were not aired in court. Magistrate Vaughan said police would complete a brief of evidence by December 24, which will be provided to the defence.
The case will next return to the Wangaratta court on February 4 for a committal mention hearing.
Mr Nugent, who was not required to speak in court or enter a plea, stood when the magistrate addressed him at the end of the hearing.
"I have asked that a medical professional see you immediately," Magistrate Vaughan said.
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