Man 'wore best suit to kill pal'

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A man accused of trying to suffocate his friend in a Belfast hospital wore his best suit to give the stroke victim some dignity, the High Court has heard.

Lawyers for Thomas Hawkes, 58, Rosslea Way, Newtownabbey, said he took alcohol to summon up the courage to attempt the "mercy killing" of Billy Cousins.

Prosecutors said he was trying to stop him breathing when staff intervened.

The accused was refused bail due to a serious risk of returning to the ward where the offence allegedly occurred.

Mr Hawkes was charged with attempted murder after being arrested at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday.

The court was told Mr Hawkes had claimed he spent a minute at Mr Cousins' bedside before becoming so upset he put his hand over his friend's mouth and nose.

In an ideal world Mr Cousins would have signed a contract with his best friend Defence barrister

Prosecution lawyer Fiona O'Kane told the court the accused claimed he had previously agreed with Mr Cousins that neither man should allow the other to suffer severe ill-health or disability.

"He said he had worn his best suit to give Billy some dignity and also because he knew he would not be, in his words, 'walking away from this', and because he wanted to go to police with a bit of dignity also," she said.

The barrister said Mr Hawkes claimed he would do the same thing again, allegedly telling police: "I didn't get it done right."

Mrs O'Kane confirmed the incident had not impacted on the victim's condition, but opposed bail because of concern a repeat incident might happen.

Defence counsel Mark Farrell argued that instead of attempted murder, the proper charge should be complicity in suicide.

He told the court the two friends came to the agreement after Mr Cousins' brother suffered a stroke which left him heavily dependent on family support.

This is an extremely unusual case. It's also one I find quite disturbing Mr Justice Treacy

The barrister said the prosecution had not taken into consideration the background in the case, adding that the victim's family wished Mr Hawkes no ill-will.

"In an ideal world Mr Cousins would have signed a contract with his best friend," he said.

"But the realities of the world we live in are that agreements can be struck without a proper paper trail."

According to Mr Farrell, the case involved Mr Hawkes "getting his best suit on and taking Dutch courage, alcohol, to go down and do this".

The lawyer added: "He has seen the error of his ways and he would have no interest in finishing off the job that he started."

Refusing bail, Mr Justice Treacy said: "This is an extremely unusual case. It's also one I find quite disturbing.

"In light of the applicant's comments to police, and also the drink problem that he plainly has, I consider there is a grave risk indeed that this applicant would attempt to finish what he started."