A 26-year-old man from Gateshead has appeared in court to face serious allegations of domestic violence after reportedly attacking his partner at her home in Newcastle.
Keiran Maines, of North Grove, Ryton, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week to answer to three charges stemming from two separate incidents involving his former partner. The charges include two counts of intentional strangulation and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
During the hearing, the court was told that the alleged violence occurred at the same residential address in Newcastle. Regarding the first incident, which prosecutors stated took place between October 31 and December 1, 2025, Maines entered a guilty plea to a charge of intentional strangulation.
However, the defendant entered not guilty pleas for two further offences alleged to have taken place on February 26 of this year. Prosecutor Clare Haswell outlined the Crown’s case, detailing the nature of the alleged February attack.
“The defendant and the victim were partners,” Ms. Haswell told the bench. “On February 26, it is alleged the defendant bit her, repeatedly punched her, and grabbed her hair. He is also alleged to have intentionally strangled her.”
While the magistrates confirmed that the case was suitable for a summary trial, Maines exercised his right to have the matter heard before a judge and jury. Consequently, the case has been transferred to Newcastle Crown Court for further proceedings.
Maines was granted conditional bail ahead of his next appearance. He is scheduled to appear at the Crown Court on October 22, where he will face trial for the contested matters and potentially be sentenced for the strangulation charge to which he has already admitted.
The case has drawn attention to the ongoing efforts by regional authorities to address domestic abuse. Legal experts noted that charges of intentional strangulation have become a frequent feature in court lists since the offence was introduced as a specific criminal charge, reflecting a national priority to better protect victims from non-fatal strangulation, which is often considered a precursor to more severe domestic homicide.
As the legal process continues, the defendant remains subject to his bail conditions, which prevent him from contacting the victim or returning to the scene of the alleged incidents. The proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court in October will determine the next steps in the legal process for all three charges.
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