Stephen Ogilvie, a Belfast stabbing victim with a harrowing past, is fighting for his life in hospital after a brutal knife attack on Kinnaird Avenue left him with severe injuries including the loss of an eye
The victim of an alleged attempted beheading in Belfast was drugged and set alight by an Ulster gang leader at a flat. Stephen Ogilvie, who has connections to Scotland, was assaulted by David McLeave at the property in West Lothian in 2001.
Mr Ogilvie, 44, relocated from Belfast to Scotland to reside with McLeave but was attacked by the drug dealer while watching television. McLeave, who was 21 at the time, administered the date rape drug GBH to Mr Ogilvie before stripping him naked, dousing him with aftershave and setting him ablaze.
Vulnerable Mr Ogilvie, who is believed to have learning difficulties, subsequently awoke to discover his body engulfed in flames. The horrific attack was filmed by his tormentors. He then escaped back to Belfast.
McLeave was sentenced to 14 years at the High Court in Edinburgh in April 2003. His criminal associates Paul Campbell, then aged 20, Thomas Irvine, 21, Edward Lindsay, 23, and 21 year old Lee Kingham received prison terms for drug offences, reports the Daily Record.
Upon his return to Belfast, Mr Ogilvie revealed to the court how he feared for his life after being forced into a vehicle by McLeave’s accomplices Barry and Paul Campbell.
Campbell’s brother Barry, 21, was also sentenced to six years imprisonment for his role in kidnapping terrified Mr Ogilvie and possessing a rifle without a licence.
At the time, Mr Ogilvie told the court: “I am terrified and my nerves are shattered.” Mr Ogilvie is presently in hospital with grave injuries following a dreadful knife assault on Belfast’s Kinnaird Avenue on Monday night.
He continues to be in a serious state in hospital, receiving treatment for severe injuries, including the loss of one of his eyes.
Hadi Alodid, 30, has since been presented at Belfast Magistrates’ Court, accused of attempted murder. Alodid, a Sudanese national, was also charged with threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.
He declined legal representation and offered no response to charges which were relayed to him through an Arabic interpreter. Alodid, residing at Duncairn Avenue in Belfast, was remanded in custody.
It is believed Mr Ogilvie was acquainted with his attacker and was attempting to assist him as he settled into a flat block they both resided in within the city in Northern Ireland.
On Tuesday, police revealed additional details concerning Alodid’s immigration status and his journey to the UK. He entered Northern Ireland via the Irish border in February 2023, having flown into Dublin from Paris.
Upon arrival, the suspect submitted an asylum claim and was subsequently granted permission to stay in the UK until 2028 in September 2023. Investigators have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest Monday’s stabbing incident had connections to terrorism.
In a statement issued through Independent Councillor Stafford Ward, Mr Ogilvie’s family expressed: “We are completely devastated by the horrific attack on our loved one on Kinnaird Avenue. This has been a massive shock to our whole family, and right now, our only priority is being at his bedside and helping him recover.”