Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder of woman in stabbing

A man has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of a woman in north Belfast.

The charges relate to a stabbing on 23 August 2024.

Conneth Paul Johnston, 28, of Forthriver Park in Belfast, stood in the dock of Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday as the charges were read out to him.

He faces four charges dating back two years, all of which he denies. He was remanded in custody.

Johnston was charged with attempting to murder a woman, with the offence aggravated by reason of involving domestic abuse.

He was also charged with aggravated burglary on the same date - namely trespassing at a property at Ballynure Street in Belfast "with intent to inflict on any person therein grievous bodily and at the time of entry had with you a knife".

Johnston also faces charges of causing criminal damage to a window belonging to the same woman and of assaulting police on the same day.

The defence barrister, Michael Ward, told Judge Philip Gilpin that it was anticipated no expert reports would need to be secured before the trial.

A Crown barrister outlined that given the nature of the offences, a special measures application for the complainant was being sought.

He is due to appear again for trial on 8 March 2027. The case will be reviewed at the end of this month.