Inside the ‘recluse’ life of alleged attacker Brendan Nugent

The man charged with allegedly mowing down federal independent MP Helen Haines with a four-wheel drive in a “targeted” attack has been labelled a recluse and a “nightmare” by terrified neighbours.

Brendan Nugent, 43, is facing three offences, including one federal charge, after allegedly hitting Haines with a Toyota LandCruiser outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, north-east Victoria, on Monday.

In a brief appearance in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning, the court heard of mental health concerns regarding Nugent and he made no bail application.

Wearing a grey, long-sleeved top, Nugent looked around the room at the crowd during the hearing before standing and nodding to acknowledge the magistrate’s explanation.

The court heard Nugent was suffering from concussion and that he had idiopathic transverse myelitis.

Transverse myelitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord, which can cause sharp pain, strange sensations in the patient’s limbs, weakness of the arms and legs, and bladder and bowel problems, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Nugent was also charged with cultivating and possessing cannabis, court documents showed.

Nugent’s next scheduled court date will be a committal hearing in Wangaratta on February 4 next year.

Haines, 65, remains in a Melbourne hospital in what police described as a critical but stable condition after losing her leg in the alleged attack.

9News understands doctors were fighting to save her other leg.

Police said a nearby unit arrived within eight seconds of emergency services being called and praised witnesses – who have been hailed as heroes – who rushed to help.

Police are yet to establish a motivation for the alleged attack.

Nugent was known to police and a vocal critic of the media and government.

Police previously confirmed Nugent is from the nearby Tarrawingee, a town of just 416 people about 10 minutes from Wangaratta.

The unemployed Nugent lived at the rural property, understood to belong to his father, for seven years but was reclusive and rarely spoke to neighbours.

Images from the property have emerged, revealing the squalid and isolated conditions the 43-year-old lived in before his alleged attack on Haines.

The home was in disarray when police arrived on Monday evening.

Garden tools, beer bottles and assorted household items were scattered out front.

The home is located on acreage on a rural stretch of road and is a short drive from the centre of town.

Images of the property also show a long dirt road driveway leading to a spacious home, with several cars and trucks were parked outside.

Neighbours previously said Nugent rarely had visitors, often played loud music and largely kept to himself.

One neighbour named Peter, who spoke to The Age newspaper, described Nugent as an “absolute nut job” who would play loud music from 4pm until 8am.

“He was an absolute nightmare and there were a couple of elderly ladies who lived closer to him who were too scared to report him to police,” Peter told the newspaper.

“He was an absolute nightmare and there were a couple of elderly ladies who lived closer to him who were too scared to report him to police.”

Nugent family confirms Haines friendship

Nugent’s father said the family had been friends with Haines for decades.

Rod Nugent and his partner Christine Cunningham described what happened to Haines as “devastating and unfathomable”.

“Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community,” the couple said in a statement to media.

“Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable.

“All of our love and all of our thoughts are with Helen and her family and friends.”

The pair also thanked locals and police who came to Haines’ aid and said they would assist Victoria Police “in any way we can”.

A photograph has emerged of Cunningham and Haines posing together at an event in April last year.

Nugent’s social media posts revealed

Nugent’s social media history shows a keen interest in climate advocacy and environmental causes.

He also appeared to be a vocal critic of the media and government.

An active X account bearing his name includes posts on topics regarding Israel, climate change and Jeffrey Epstein.

Haines follows this account on X.

Nugent appeared to be posting on social media just one day before the alleged attack.

The account also has evidence of interactions with Haines’ X account dating back to 2019.

In 2020, the account replied to a post Haines made about the forestry sector, asking the MP “what support” had been given.

An account in his name replied to a statement on X by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“Couple of US lap dogs. Maybe if you had warned israel about its attacks the world wouldn’t be where it is right now,” the account posted.

The accused studied at the University of Melbourne and holds a Master of Forest Ecosystem Science.

He is a committee member of the Save Our Strathbogie Forest group, a Victorian advocacy group which protests industrial logging in the Strathbogie State Forest.

Nationals MP Tim McCurdy told 3AW Nugent had been in contact with his electoral office in the past but that it did not involve any threats.

“He’s known to our office as well,” he said.

“So I don’t know whether he’s frequented Helen’s office or not. I’m not clear about that, but he’s been in touch with our office over the journey. So he’s known to us.”

How the incident unfolded

Haines, the federal member for Indi, suffered critical injuries and underwent surgery overnight after being struck by a car about 3.35pm outside her office in Wangaratta on Monday.

She remains in hospital in Melbourne.

It is understood Haines was retrieving items from her car at the time of the incident.

It is believed Haines was pinned between her suspected attacker’s car and her own, before the driver allegedly reversed and repeatedly hit her.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke previously alleged the driver had hit Haines a second time after the initial impact.

Her alleged attacker was detained by a barber as he attempted to leave the vehicle in a dramatic citizen’s arrest.

Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Mike Bush saluted the bystanders who intervened to restrain the suspected attacker, and praised first responders.

Read more

‘Hero’ barber reveals chaotic scene, brave actions by public after alleged attack on Helen Haines

Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason said no “recent intelligence” had drawn police attention to Nugent ahead of yesterday’s incident.

Police are now working to establish the motivation for the alleged attack, including whether it was politically motivated.

ASIO Director General Mike Burgess said “elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence”.

Burgess said “words matter” and that ASIO had seen a correlation between “inflamed language” and acts of violence.

“This incident occurred in an environment where politically motivated violence is more likely than previous years,” he said, in a statement issued after the attack.

“I genuinely believe the temperature of our security environment would be several degrees lower if we recommitted to conversing with civility, debating with respect and disagreeing with restraint.”