Man charged in robbery of war vet appears in court via video link

CTV Ottawa: Bush court appearance 59-year-old Ian Bush makes court appearance in home invasion case involving WWII veteran.

The man charged in last week's home invasion of a 101-year-old decorated Second World War veteran has had his case put over for two more days.

Ian Bush, 59, is charged with attempted murder, robbery, forcible confinement and break and enter in the attack against Retired Col. Ernest Côté. He is also facing two charges of the use of a credit card obtained by crime.

Bush appeared in court by video link Monday. His lawyer, Geraldine Castle-Trudel, said she was not ready to request bail and the matter was adjourned until Dec. 24, when he will be seen by a doctor.

Ahead of Bush's appearance, Castle-Trudel told reporters outside the court house that the charge against her client is unusual, as he has no prior criminal record.

"You don't get accusations, usually, that a 59-year-old takes up a life of violent crime, with no criminal record, never done a thing before," she said.

She said she would like Bush to be examined by a psychiatrist.

Ian Bush's brother Norm told reporters outside the court that no one in the family has had a chance to speak with Bush yet, but they are stunned by the charges.

"The whole family is in shock. It's not something anybody would have anticipated. And we have not had the opportunity to speak with Ian or hear his side of the story," Norm Bush said.

"Ian has always been a very strong family person," he added. "…So for something like this to come forward, these kinds of allegations and accusations, for all of us, it's a big shock."

Norm Bush added that his brother was not showing any signs of unusual behaviour recently, nor had he heard of his brother having any financial difficulties.

He added he wasn't aware of any connection between his brother and Cote.

In a phone conversation with CTV News Monday, Cote said he was not aware that both of Bush’s parents were veterans. While Cote said he was grateful for the support he received in recent days, he refused to comment any further.

“Listen, I have no comment to make whatsoever,” said Cote. “Let the police and the courts deal with this. If they want me to appear before them I will be appearing.”

Castle-Trudel told CTV News on Saturday when Bush made his first court appearance that her client was arrested Friday after police received a tip from a family member. That followed the release of security camera images of the man police said they were seeking in the case.

The alleged incident occurred Thursday morning, when a man allegedly posing as a city employee asked to be buzzed into Cote's Ottawa condo. Police say the man went to Cote's door and demanded money, but was refused. He then pushed his way in, tied up Cote, and robbed him of several items.

Cote was able to free himself and call for help. He was not injured.

Ottawa Police Staff Sgt. Michael Haarbosch told CTV News Channel Friday that the attack on the 101-year-old D-Day veteran was shocking, but that Cote was in "great spirits" despite the incident.