East Belfast: Man in court charged with attempted murder of woman

Stephen Kennedy appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday

A man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a woman in Belfast on Thursday.

Stephen Kennedy, 42, from Montrose Street in the east of the city, has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a hatchet.

He appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Mr Kennedy confirmed in court that he understood the two charges. A detective constable said she believed she could connect him to the alleged offence.

Both offences are alleged to be aggravated by reason of domestic abuse but the prosecuting lawyer outlined how that factor is being challenged by the defence, which will be submitting written representations to the the Public Prosecution Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

A solicitor for Mr Kennedy confirmed "that is exactly the position", in that, according to the defendant, "there was no personal connection between him and the person who has the injuries".

None of the alleged facts surrounding the charges were heard in court.

The solicitor confirmed there was no application for bail being lodged on Saturday, but he suggested that Mr Kennedy could be remanded to the end of the week while "we reassess the issue with regard to bail".

Remanding Mr Kennedy into custody, the district judge adjourned the case to 8 March.