Man accused of running over MP Helen Haines says there was no grudge

Victorian and federal police say Brendan Nugent deliberately drove his Toyota LandCruiser into independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Oct. 19, causing the 65-year-old to lose both legs. Haines remains in serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital.

Nugent, 43, was detained at the scene by passers-by and has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Two sources familiar with the case said Nugent told investigators he never intended to hit Haines and that his actions were driven by panic.

“We’re checking all records, both of Helen’s, ours, and others,” Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said at a press conference. “And we are not ruling out further serious charges.”

Police, including counter-terrorism officers and ASIO, are examining whether the incident was premeditated or opportunistic and whether Nugent had any prior fixation on the MP. Investigators are also probing a theory that the attack could have been a proxy for a family dispute.

Nugent’s family, who described him as a close friend of more than two decades, issued a statement offering assistance to police. His father, Rod, and stepmother, Christine Cunningham, said they would help the investigation.

During his first court appearance, Nugent’s lawyer, Chirag Patel, told a magistrate that his client suffers from a rare neurological condition, idiopathic transverse myelitis, and sustained a concussion in the crash but was not on any prescribed medication.

The case follows reports that Nugent had a history of mental-health challenges, periods of homelessness and online posts about personal struggles. Police and intelligence agencies will continue to assess any possible links between his background and the alleged attack on the MP.