# Nugent charged over attack on MP Helen Haines

> The man accused of attacking Indi MP Helen Haines appeared in court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody pending trial.
- Title: Nugent charged over attack on MP Helen Haines · Abc | Shortify
- Summary: The man accused of attacking Indi MP Helen Haines appeared in court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody pending trial. Brendan Nugent, forty-three, was…
- Keywords: brendan nugent, helen haines, wangaratta magistrates court, victoria police, attempted murder, indi mp, news, politics, Nugent, charged, attack, Helen
- Source: Abc — https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-22/helen-haines-accused-attacker-brendan-nugent/107294260
- Published: 2026-10-21T18:11:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: brendan nugent, helen haines, wangaratta magistrates court, victoria police, attempted murder, indi mp, news, politics
## Nugent appears in court
Brendan Nugent, forty-three, appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He was brought into the dock by security guards but was not required to speak or enter a plea.
## Remanded in custody
Nugent was remanded in custody and taken to Melbourne Assessment Prison. No application for bail was made on Wednesday. If one had been made, his lawyers would need to prove compelling reasons for release.
## Charges against Nugent
Victoria Police charged Nugent with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, and possessing and cultivating cannabis.
## Attempted murder under consideration
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said further serious charges were being considered. When asked about attempted murder, he said: "That's always a consideration. Of course we have to locate and follow the evidence."

> That's always a consideration. Of course we have to locate and follow the evidence.
## Timeline to trial
Magistrate Allison Vaughan gave police a Christmas Eve deadline to serve the brief of evidence. A committal mention hearing was set for February fourth, twenty twenty-seven, close to four months away.
## What the brief will contain
The brief of evidence typically includes police interviews, witness statements, security footage, mobile phone and computer data downloads, and phone cell tower records. Police will likely scour the internet for Nugent's online posts.
## Key takeaway

Brendan Nugent, forty-three, was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, and cannabis offences after allegedly attacking MP Helen Haines.