A WEST Cumbrian man has appeared in a court accused of assaulting a woman, attempting to strangle her, and making a threat to kill.

Thomas Dempsey, 32, of Cross Street, Whitehaven, appeared briefly before magistrates at Carlisle’s Rickergate court, where he declined to enter a plea to any of the six allegations he faces.

Those charges, all relating to events on July 8, are:

* Making a threat to kill a woman in the Workington area.

* Assaulting the same woman and causing her actual bodily harm

* Causing criminal damage to a plate and a television

* Possessing an offensive weapon – namely a metal bar.

* A common assault on a man

* And intentional strangulation of the woman he allegedly assaulted.

Prosecutor Carl Gaffney told magistrates that the assault allegation includes a claim that the defendant “gouged” the victim’s eyes, hit her legs with a metal bar, and pulled out clumps of her hair.

The offensive weapon allegation was said to have been committed at Newlands Gardens in Workington.

Magistrates sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for a hearing on September 9, remanding the defendant in custody until that day, when Dempsey is likely to be asked to enter his pleas.

There was no application for bail and Dempsey, who was represented by defence lawyer John Smith, spoke only to confirm his details and say that he would not be entering pleas.