Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Jim Shannon has been charged with common assault of a woman. The alleged incident is said to have taken place on 1 October 2023.
Mr Shannon, 71, whose address was given as DUP offices on Frances Street in Newtownards, did not attend Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Monday. Defence counsel Conan Rea stated that a defence statement has been lodged.
The court heard that the Public Prosecution Service plans to apply to amend dates on lodged paperwork, which the defence will object to. Defence counsel Rea told deputy district judge Trevor Browne that a skeleton argument detailing these objections has been lodged. The judge adjourned the case to 1 September, with prosecuting counsel set to reply to the submissions.