Keiran Maines, 26, has appeared in court accused of strangling and biting his partner during incidents at a Newcastle address. He also allegedly punched the victim during two separate episodes of violence at the same location.
Charges and pleas
Maines faced two counts of intentional strangulation and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week. He pleaded guilty to the first strangling offence, which allegedly occurred between October 31 2025 and December 1 2025.
He denied the second intentional strangulation charge and the assault, both alleged to have taken place on February 26 this year.
Prosecution case
Prosecutor Clare Haswell told the court: "The Crown would submit that this is suitable for summary trial with the option to commit for sentence, should the defendant be convicted."
She added: "The defendant and the victim were partners. On February 26, it's alleged the defendant bit her, repeatedly punched her and grabbed her hair. He's also alleged to have intentionally strangled her."
Next steps
Magistrates accepted jurisdiction, but Maines, of North Grove, in Ryton, Gateshead, elected for trial at Newcastle Crown Court before a judge and jury. He was released on conditional bail to appear there on October 22.
