Man Allegedly Slashed Across Face in Larne After “Chelsea Smile” Threat, Court Told

A court has heard allegations that a man in Larne threatened to give another man a “Chelsea smile” before allegedly slashing his face with a blade, leaving him needing 16 stitches. A 37-year-old defendant has been refused bail and remanded in custody.

A 37-year-old man from Larne has been refused bail after a court heard allegations that he threatened to give another man a “Chelsea smile” before slashing his face with a blade.

At Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, prosecutors said the injured man suffered a serious facial wound stretching from the corner of his mouth to the bottom of his ear lobe.

Alleged Threat Before Attack

The court heard that police received a 999 call on February 20 reporting that a man had been “stabbed” at a property in Larne.

Prosecutors alleged that John Bryan Bowers had been at the address shortly before 9pm when an argument escalated into a physical altercation.

During the hearing, it was alleged the defendant threatened to give the injured man a “Chelsea smile” before producing a blade and slashing the victim’s right cheek.

District Judge Nigel Broderick asked if the term referred to “a knife across the mouth”, to which a police officer replied yes.

The victim was taken to hospital and required 16 stitches.

“The slash across his face is from the corner of his mouth to the bottom of his ear lobe,” the judge told the court.

Defendant Denies Allegations

The court heard that when interviewed by police, Bowers denied causing the injury.

He claimed the other man had started a “scuffle” and insisted he had not brought a knife to the property or used a blade during the incident.

He also denied making any reference to a “Chelsea smile”.

Police further alleged the defendant later sent text messages apologising for the incident and referencing a paramilitary group.

However, the court heard Bowers claimed he “cannot read and write” and did not remember sending the messages.

Blade Allegedly Recovered Nearby

Police told the court they believed the defendant had travelled to and from the property by bicycle, with a bike later recovered during a house search.

Officers also received reports of someone throwing an object over a wall near a church.

During a subsequent search of the area, police allegedly recovered what was described as a “blade of a cut-throat type razor”.

Bail Revoked

The hearing related to alleged breaches of bail conditions previously imposed on the defendant.

The court heard Bowers was:

• Not staying at an approved bail address in Lisburn
• In breach of a night-time curfew
• Found in Larne on Wednesday contrary to his bail conditions

Police opposed any further release on bail.

The court also heard the defendant has 76 previous convictions and is classified as a “managed violent offender” under public protection arrangements.

A defence barrister told the court the defendant has an “ongoing drink problem”.

Bail was refused and Bowers was remanded in custody until June 4.