A 28-YEAR-OLD man accused of assaulting his girlfriend on three separate occasions this month has been remanded in custody.

Jason Michael Howell, of Breandrum Court, Enniskillen, is charged with two counts of assaulting his partner, occasioning her actual bodily harm, a further count of unlawfully assaulting her, attempting to choke, strangle or suffocate her and the criminal damage of a wooden panel on a staircase.

The offences are alleged to have occurred on dates between November 11 and 27, 2016.

Howell was brought into the dock at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday, following his arrest at the weekend.

A bail application made by defence counsel, Stephen Fitzpatrick, was strongly opposed by the PSNI.

Outlining the background to the alleged incidents, a police officer told the court that, on Sunday, police received a report from the injured party’s father, who said he was concerned for his daughter’s safety.

He told the police that he believed his daughter to be in danger from her boyfriend, having received a text from her stating that she was scared. Her mother had also viewed this text.

Officers attended the address where the alleged injured party lived with the defendant and their young child. She alleged that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend on three separate occasions.

The woman further alleged that, during these incidents, she had been kicked, grabbed by the throat and dragged down the stairs. She also claimed that he had placed a cushion over her head.

The policeman told the court that the alleged victim claimed that Howell had been drinking and drug taking during this period.

During a subsequent interview, the defendant admitted causing damage to the staircase and pushing the woman on one occasion, but denied all the other allegations.

The police officer also said that Howell admitted having a drug problem and taking both cannabis and cocaine. However, he claimed not to have used cocaine for a number of months.

Objecting to bail, the PSNI officer told the court that there was a risk of further offences.

He alleged that there had been previous domestic incidents between this defendant and the injured party, as well as between the defendant and his previous partner.

Mr Fitzpatrick told the court that his client’s mother had agreed to let him live with her if granted bail on the condition that he attended with his GP to seek help for his drug taking.

The barrister said her address had been approved by the PSNI.

He stressed that Howell didn’t accept the allegations at their height and would be contesting the case.

Arguing in favour of bail being granted, the barrister said that there was no record to suggest that his client wouldn’t abide by any conditions imposed on him.

Mr Fitzpatrick added that if the defendant didn’t abide by the conditions, his mother would withdraw her permission for him to live with her.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that he was concerned about the defendant’s alleged issue with drugs and history of domestic violence.

Refusing bail due to the risk of further offences and interference with witnesses, the judge remanded Howell in custody to appear, via videolink, on Monday, December 19.