A 32-year-old man is to face trial on charges of punching and kicking a pregnant woman in the stomach.
Josh Laird, of Academy Street, Dumfries, has been accused of two offences of assaulting different women in the town.
He pleaded not guilty to both and his case was adjourned for trial on August 19.
It’s alleged that between January 21 and February 8 last year Laird, during an argument with a pregnant woman, pushed her to the ground at Hardthorn Road in the town then kicked her on the body before kicking and punching her on the stomach.
He is also accused of shouting, swearing, uttering threats of violence, taking a mobile phone from her hand before repeatedly striking the handset causing it to break and thereby preventing her calling the police.
Laird’s second charge is that between 1am and 1.30am on August 28 last year at a house in Newton Road, Dumfries, he was abusive to another woman and, during an argument, placed his hand around her neck, pushed her onto a bed and repeatedly punched her on the head to her injury.
He is also alleged to have shouted “you’re dead” at the woman as he left the house.
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