Further psych assessment ordered for home invasion suspect Ian Bush

A man accused of attempted murder after 101-year-old war veteran Ernest Côté was bound with a plastic bag over his head during a December home invasion was ordered to undergo a further psychiatric assessment.

Ian Bush, 59, is charged with robbery with violence, forcible confinement, breaking and entering, and two counts of using a credit card obtained by crime. 

He had undergone a 30-day psychiatric assessment at The Royal Mental Health Centre, but in a brief court appearance Friday the judge ordered further tests.

Côté, a decorated veteran of the Second World War, was alone in his New Edinburgh apartment when a man claiming to be a City of Ottawa employee asked to be buzzed into the building on the morning of December 18.

Police said at the time that a man forced his way into Côté's apartment, tied him up and robbed him. Côté was able to free himself and call police after the suspect left. He suffered only minor injuries and did not need to be taken to hospital.

Last week, he spoke to CBC News about the home invasion.

"I was madder than a wasp, and I couldn't do a damn thing, and that's all I could do until he left," Côté said. "I was never afraid. I was madder than a wasp. Wasps ain't afraid; they're mad."

Côté said it's not his role to judge Bush.

"We have a system of justice and it is not up to the individual who feels the grief to decide this, it's up to the courts," Côté said.​ "What can I do about it? It's in the hands of the law. Let the law follow its course." 

Bush assessed at Royal Mental Health Centre 

Bush was arrested on Dec. 19 after police released photos and a surveillance video of a suspect in the lobby of Côté's apartment at 31 Durham Pvt.

• Ian Bush charged in home invasion of Ottawa war veteran
• Ian Bush's family 'very grateful' Ernest Côté wasn't hurt

Bush, who works as a management consultant, has no criminal record. He is married with three children and a grandchild.

His brother Norm Bush previously told CBC News that their parents are both veterans, and that they grew up in a military family.

"We are very grateful that we heard through the media that Mr. Côté was not seriously injured and appears to be doing well," he said on Dec. 22.

"We're very grateful for that, and we wish him and his family all the best, especially at this time of year."