On Air Early Breakfast Chris Williams | 5:00am - 7:30am

Man denies breaking lockdown rules to attack girlfriend

Court appearance via video link for 44-year-old

A man’s appeared in court charged with defying lockdown rules to attack his ex-girlfriend in her home.

Forty-four-year-old Ian Ronald Goldsmith of Tromode House in Braddan appeared via a live video link before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse.

He’s pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm and breaching coronavirus regulations under the Emergency Powers Act.

Prosecution advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the hearing police were called to an incident on Derby Square in Douglas on 29 April, finding a woman with injuries to her face.

She and a friend said Mr Goldsmith, who she’d had a relationship with, had turned up at the flat and become violent.

He’s said to have grabbed her by the throat before headbutting her and leaving the property – he later claimed she’d been the one who’d resorted to violence and he’d been punched by her.

He was bailed in the sum of £500 and will wear one of the Island’s first electronic tags.

Mr Goldsmith must also observe a curfew between 7pm and 6am, and was banned from contacting prosecution witnesses, buying alcohol or drinking it in public.

He’ll appear in court again on 4 June.

More from Isle of Man News