A MAN has been charged with a series of domestic abuse charges in Ammanford.

Ashley Martin, 35, of Cwm Road in Waun-Lwyd, Ebbw Vale, appeared at Swansea Crown Court charged with seven offences.

Martin was accused of controlling or coercive control in an intimate relationship between September and December 27 last year.

It was alleged that he physically assaulted the complainant, spat at her, threatened her with violence, threatened to burn the house down, damaged and thrown her belongings away, controlled her movements, and monitored who she was with by phoning her continuously.

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He was also charged with two offences of strangulation – the first alleged to have taken place in October and the second on November 21.

Martin was also accused with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and damaging property – relating to the woman’s house doors and car – both also on November 21.

He was also charged with assault by beating against the woman and damaging property – relating to clothing and house doors – on December 26.

Martin pleaded not guilty to all charges.

“Presumably this is him saying that she’s making these things up,” Judge Paul Thomas KC asked defence counsel James Hartson.

“Your Honour yes,” Mr Hartson said. “A factual denial.”

A trial date was set for June 12, and Martin was granted bail until that date.