A Carlisle man has appeared in court accused of attacking a woman with a hammer and trying to stab her during an incident at a city address over the weekend.
Joseph Snelgar, 37, faces a number of charges following alleged incidents at a property on Saturday night.
One charge alleges that Snelgar attempted to unlawfully and maliciously wound the woman, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
A second charge alleges false imprisonment. A third alleges that Snelgar threatened the woman with a a knife in a private place.
A fourth alleges illegal possession of an offensive weapon — a lock knife. And a fifth charge alleges that Snelgar assaulted the woman, causing her actual bodily harm.
At the request of a solicitor representing Snelgar, no pleas were entered to any of the charges he faces.
Two allegations — the attempted intentional wounding and false imprisonment — are so serious that they can only be dealt with at a crown court.
Prosecutor George Shelley gave magistrates a brief outline of the allegations. It was alleged, he said, that Snelgar had attacked the woman with a hammer and tried to stab her.
A knife was found at the address, the court heard. The complainant was said to have received medical treatment in hospital for injuries which comprised bruising and swelling.
Defence solicitor John Smith said in a brief address to magistrates: “There is a big factual dispute as to what did happen.”
Magistrates formally sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court.
Snelgar, of Springfield Road, Carlisle, listened from the dock as he heard that he must appear there in front of a judge, for a plea and trial preparation hearing, on July 14.
In the meantime he was remanded in custody by the two sitting magistrates after an application for bail — opposed by the prosecution — was refused.
