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| Accused 'intent on mercy killing' | Accused 'intent on mercy killing' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A 58-year-old man charged with attempting to murder his lifelong friend in a Belfast hospital was intent on a mercy killing, a court has heard. | A 58-year-old man charged with attempting to murder his lifelong friend in a Belfast hospital was intent on a mercy killing, a court has heard. |
| Thomas Charles Hawkes from Rosslea Way in Newtownabbey was charged with trying to kill his friend who was in a coma at the Royal Victoria Hospital. | |
| A detective told Tuesday's court that Mr Hawkes made frank admissions. | |
| His lawyer said this was an attempt at a mercy killing. Mr Hawkes was trying to put his friend out of his misery. | |
| The court in Belfast was told that Mr Hawkes was stopped by hospital staff on Monday as he tried to suffocate his friend, who was in a coma after suffering a stroke. | |
| The detective said Mr Hawkes told police he was disappointed he had failed and would do it again. | |
| The accused's lawyer said just weeks ago, the two men had discussed what they might do if either of them was left in a vegetative state. | |
| In applying for bail, the lawyer said it would be his submission that the attempted murder charge be changed to complicity in another's suicide. | |
| Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear via videolink on 7 July. | Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear via videolink on 7 July. |