Man to stand trial accused of attempting to strangle girlfriend

A man is to stand trial accused of choking his girlfriend “to the danger of her life”.

Kenneth Hastie is alleged to have attacked Samantha Staig at an address in Tayport on August 8 last year.

It is alleged he first shouted at her before pinning her against a bed, placing his hand over her mouth and restricting her breathing.

Prosecutors say he then placed his hands around her beck and compressed her throat, causing her to fall.

Miss Staig is said to have then sought refuge in a bathroom before Hastie tried to seize her by the hair. He is then said to have repeatedly forced a closed door against her body all to her injury.

Hastie is said to have “previously evinced ill will and malice” towards Miss Staig.

Hastie, 23, of Commercial Street, Dundee, pleaded not guilty on indictment to a charge of assault to the danger of life.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson added: “There is nothing capable of agreement it is a case based on eyewitness evidence.”

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael continued the case to a jury trial assize later this month.