Aussie cops probing whether driver who allegedly attacked Helen Haines with car was motivated by hatred towards family

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Police are investigating whether Brendan Nugent’s hostility to his own family could have been a motive in the alleged attack on MP Helen Haines.

Dr Haines lost two legs after Nugent allegedly rammed her with his Toyota LandCruiser on Monday outside her electoral office.

She remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Initially, it was feared that the attack was politically motivated but Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police are now looking at Nugent’s alleged hostility towards his father and stepmother, who have been close friends with Ms Haines for 20 years.

Nugent, 43, had reportedly suffered from schizophrenia and has a rare neurological condition.

According to The Australian, one line of inquiry is whether the accused suffered a psychotic episode and targeted Ms Haines due to a grudge on a family member.

Sources told the masthead that the last time Nugent’s father Rod and stepmother Christine Cunningham saw Nugent was ten months ago, on New Year’s Eve, when he turned up at their house and ranted at them for ten minutes.

Nugent was on Tuesday charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a commonwealth official. He also faces two drugs charges.

After a brief court hearing Nugent was remanded in custody until February.

Dr Haines’ husband Phil gave an emotional press conference on Wednesday where he revealed that both his wife’s legs had been amputated.

“Helen’s road to recovery will be long and difficult, but we know she is a fighter,” he said.

“She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover, and that is what we hope for.”

Australians donated more than $350,000 in less than 24 hours to Save the Children in honour of Dr Haines.

Mr Haines urged supporters to donate to the charity instead of buying flowers.

“We are deeply moved that Helen, her husband Phil, her family and her team are thinking of children in need and we would like to thank them for their kindness,” Save the Children Australia chief executive Matt Tinkler said on Thursday.

Some 200 people gathered at Wodonga, about 60km (37 miles) from Wangaratta, on Wednesday evening for a vigil in support of the federal member for Indi.

Supporters wearing Dr Haines’ signature orange campaign shirts embraced and signed books with messages wishing her well.

Former Indi MP Cathy McGowan, who held the seat before Dr Haines, attended the vigil and urged Australians to unite against political violence.

“Her brain, her wisdom and her personality are still going to be with us,” Ms McGowan told the ABC.

The gathering followed another vigil at Wangaratta’s Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral on Tuesday, where hundreds prayed for Dr Haines and the bystanders who rushed to her aid.

Floral tributes, gifts and handwritten messages have continued to accumulate outside her Murphy St electorate office.

-With NCA Newswire