Trial set for assault accused

A trial date has been set for a man accused of attacking a woman on three separate occasions.

Mark Howard, 49, whose bail address was given as Gossaford, Brae, pleaded not guilty to three charges of assaulting the woman at an address in Skarpalea, Sandwick.

Howard, who appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court today, is charged with striking her on the head with his hand to her injury sometime between 1st and 31st December 2015, head butting and assaulting her to her injury sometime between 1st and 31st of January this year and of seizing hold of her on two occasions and repeatedly punching her on the body to her injury on 13th February.

Howard denied all charges and was released on bail with a trial date set for 28th April. He was ordered not to approach or contact the woman or go near her house as part of his bail conditions.