A 61-year-old man and his 31-year-old son have appeared in court charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on a man at a flyover in Derry.

Anthony Deery and Ryan Deery, both of Circular Road, are accused of assaulting the complainant near the House on the Wells at around 10.25am on June 15.

Londonderry Magistrates’ Court heard that the alleged victim was approached by Ryan Deery, who kicked him to the head. The man climbed onto the railings of the flyover to escape, and Anthony Deery then arrived carrying a spanner and made a remark about dropping him.

The complainant said he was assaulted by both men before slipping out of his jacket and falling over the railings. A member of the public later took him to Strand Road PSNI station.

Both defendants were arrested within the courthouse precincts. In police interviews they submitted prepared statements saying they were walking to court when a man armed with a knife confronted them. They claimed he went over the railings while trying to get away from them.

A defence solicitor told the court the statements were consistent, that the men had attempted to disarm the alleged knife-wielder, and that video footage was in line with their account. The solicitor described the injuries as minor.

District Judge Suzanne Rice said the charge was very serious. She refused bail for Ryan Deery, noting he had 11 previous bail breaches and was currently on bail for four separate cases including one of kidnapping. Anthony Deery was granted bail with conditions, including a ban on contacting the alleged victim or entering his neighbourhood.

Both men are due to appear again on July 9.