Police lay three charges against Brendan Nugent over Haines attack
Victoria Police have laid three charges against 43-year-old Brendan Nugent after he allegedly struck independent MP Helen Haines with his car on Monday.
Detectives tonight charged Mr Nugent with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury.
He was also charged with the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official — which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
He is due to appear in the the Wangaratta Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
Brendan Murphy was detained on Murphy Street after the incident. (Wangaratta Chronicle: Bailey Zimmermann)
In a statement, Victoria Police said officers would allege the incident was targeted.
The ABC has confirmed Ms Haines has lost one leg and doctors are fighting to save the other after she was pinned between two cars outside her electorate office in Victoria's north-east.
Ms Haines, 65, suffered critical lower-body injuries in the Wangaratta attack and was flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.
Parliamentary colleagues and members of the community have expressed their shock and support for Ms Haines, who has been the member for Indi since 2019.
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