Footage emerges of alleged Helen Haines attacker telling police 'you're going to have to shoot me' in 2022 confrontation

Footage has emerged showing the man accused of driving into Independent MP Dr Helen Haines telling police they would have to shoot him during a confrontation four years ago.

The footage, obtained by Nine, shows Brendan Nugent, then 39, holding a garden stake as police confronted him in 2022.

In the video, he told police, ‘now, you’re going to have to shoot me,’ and later added, ‘you’re going to have to kill me.’ 

Officers then deployed capsicum spray and used a Taser on Mr Nugent. He was not charged over the confrontation.

Mr Nugent, now 43, is accused of driving a Toyota LandCruiser into Dr Haines outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria, on Monday October 19.

Dr Haines, 65, suffered critical injuries and underwent emergency surgery at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. She lost both legs as a result of the incident. 

On Saturday, Daily Mail reported that Dr Haines' condition had improved from 'critical' to 'serious but stable'.

In the first sign of improvement, the Alfred Hospital shared an update on her recovery: 'The patient is in a serious but stable condition at The Alfred on Saturday morning.'

Mr Nugent, who neighbours have said lived alone on a remote property in nearby Tarrawingee, appeared briefly in court on Wednesday, where he was charged with offences including dangerous driving causing serious harm following the incident.

His lawyer Chirag Patel told the court Mr Nugent had not previously been diagnosed with any mental health issues, but he was concerned for his client's psychological wellbeing and wanted him assessed.

Mr Nugent did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to face court again in February.

Police are still investigating the circumstances of the alleged attack on Dr Haines, including Mr Nugent's relationship with his family. 

Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush was asked by ABC Mildura on Friday whether police were investigating the possibility that Nugent's alleged attack on Haines was a 'proxy' for grievances involving his family.

'Yes, it is,' he said.

Following the incident, Dr Haines' office has remained closed, but staff are now preparing to reopen the space.

On Friday, her team thanked the local community and people around the world for their support.

'What happened on Monday has deeply affected Helen's family and all of her staff,' they wrote in an Instagram post alongside an image of floral tributes to Dr Haines.

'Many of us witnessed the incident and some were among the first to come to her aid.'

Her staff hope to reopen electorate offices in Wangaratta and Wodonga on Thursday, while acknowledging that recovery will take time.

'As Helen takes the time she needs to recover, we will take time to look after ourselves and one another, too,' the post read.