Attempted murder charge '˜like Jeremy Kyle Show'

Thomas Inglis, 29, appeared before magistrates in the city charged with attempting to murder the woman at his Thornberry Avenue home.

He was remanded in custody despite a defence lawyer describing the case as a pantomime more akin to something out of The Jeremy Kyle Show.

Inglis faces further counts of possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, threats to kill and breaching a non-molestation order.

Police claimed he attacked his partner during an incident on January 31.

An investigating detective told the court: “He allegedly hit her around the head with a baseball bat twice.

“We have photographs to show the injuries she received as a result.”

Although no baseball bat was recovered, the court heard a hatchet seized from Inglis’ flat is being examined in a bid to establish the weapon allegedly used.

It was claimed the woman had turned up at the property three days earlier – despite an order for no contact between the pair.

Defence solicitor Fergal MacElhatton insisted the charges are completely denied.

The lawyer said the alleged victim stayed with Inglis until she discovered he was in another relationship, and was posting on Facebook after leaving.

During cross-examination Mr MacElhatton put it to the detective that his client was subjected to up to 17 alleged previous domestic violent incidents by the complainant – including one reported stabbing.

Inglis also claims the woman tried to attack him with the hatchet, District Judge Fiona Bagnall was told.

Seeking bail, Mr MacElhatton argued: “This is an exceptionally weak prosecution case, it’s one person’s word against another.

“It’s like a pantomime, it makes The Jeremy Kyle Show look like the Channel 4 News.”

But denying bail, Judge Bagnall cited the risk of reoffending.

She remanded Inglis in custody to appear again by video-link on March 6.