Qld: Man in court over fingers attack

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2004
Qld: Man in court over fingers attack

EDS: Changes keyword from Fingers



BRISBANE, April 26 AAP - A man faced a Brisbane court today accused of torturing a
music student whose fingers were severed during a home invasion last year.

The career of talented saxophonist Phil Evans, 20, was destroyed last July when two
men used a large knife to chop off three of his fingers and almost sever a fourth from
his left hand during an attack at suburban Herston.

Police had been conducting a wide search for the men, who were wearing balaclavas when
they entered the shared house on July 21 last year looking for Mr Evans.

It is alleged they tied up his flatmates, aged 23 and 25, and threatened them until
Mr Evans returned from university.

Police allege an antique knife, possibly 100 years old and with a 50 cm blade, was
used to chop off Mr Evans' fingers.

On Saturday a 28-year-old man was extradited from Sydney to Brisbane after he finished
a nine month sentence in NSW over unrelated matters.

During a brief appearance in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today, David William Ritchie
faced more than a dozen charges, including grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty
and torture.

Also listed were charges of breaking and entering, serious assault, stealing, and the
unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Ritchie was remanded in custody for a committal mention on June 21.

He made no application for bail.

AAP jfs/cjh/br

KEYWORD: RITCHIE (CHANGING KEYWORD)

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