Man denies domestic abuse and threatening to cause serious injury

A man accused of threatening his partner, demanding money from her benefits and forcing her to give her cat away has been committed to stand trial in the Island's higher court.

Richard Alfred Christian of Gladstone Avenue in Ramsey appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse.

The 51 year old denies domestic abuse and threatening to cause serious injury between December last year and April this year.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the hearing Christian is said to have threatened to carve a "Chelsea smile" onto his girlfriend's face with a craft knife and taken up to £80 a week off her after she picked up her benefits.

Mrs Hughes committed Mr Christian to stand trial in the Court of General Gaol Delivery and bailed him in the sum of £500 on condition he doesn't contact his partner.

He'll appear in the higher court on a date to be fixed.