A man has denied ripping his girlfriend's hair extensions out and slamming her head into the steering wheel of a car while she was driving. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birthday before pleading not guilty to engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two alleged offences of assault by beating, sending a threat of death or serious harm and criminal damage.
Charge sheets state that Brennan "isolated her from friends and family", "monitored her phone" and was "continually abusive and repeatedly assaulted her", including by "smacking her with an open palm" on January 5, He is also accused of "smacking her across the face with an open palm, grabbing her head and slamming it into the steering wheel while she was driving" on January 15 last year.
Another count alleges that he "grabbed her head, smacked it against a wall and repeatedly punched her" on February Brennan is further said to have threatened to "slit her throat and hand himself in" on July 2.
He is meanwhile charged with assaulting Ms Blakemore by "repeatedly slapping her to the side of the head" on July During another incident in summer , he is accused of "dragging her from side to side with enough force to rip her hair extensions out". Brennan was then said to have "pushed her by using his hand against her head" on October 2. Finally, he is accused of "smacking her with an open hand against the head and pushing her back against a wall while holding a baby" on December The alleged incidents are said to have occurred at the defendant's home and at an address in Stockbridge Village.
Brennan, who sported a navy blue bubble coat and short mousey brown hair, will now face a two to three day trial before the same court in the week commencing June 30 this year. He was further remanded into custody until this date by Judge Robert Trevor Jones.
