Man before court in Derry charged with two non-fatal strangulation charges

Christopher Harkin (40) of Grianan Drive in Derry appeared at a Preliminary Enquiry at the local Magistrate's Court.

He was charged with two counts of non-fatal strangulation against the same woman on March 27 last year.

He was also charged with assaulting the same person and with the theft of vouchers from the same woman.

These charges were also alleged to have occurred on the same date.

During the hearing at Derry Magistrate’s Court on Thursday it was accepted that there was a case to answer and there were no contrary submissions.

The court heard that Harkin said he did not wish to call any witnesses nor to make any statement at this stage.

He was returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on May 7. Harkin was also released on bail.