DUP MP Jim Shannon charged with common assault of a woman

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Jim Shannon has been charged with common assault of a woman.

Shannon, 71, with an address at DUP offices on Frances Street in Newtownards, did not attend Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Defence counsel Conan Rea outlined that he has lodged a defence statement.

The court heard that the Public Prosecution Service will be applying to amend dates on paperwork which they had lodged.

He told deputy district judge Trevor Browne that the defence have lodged a skeleton argument detailing their objections.

With prosecuting counsel set to reply to the submissions, the judge adjourned the case to 1 September.

The DUP politician was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998, before being re-elected in 2003 and 2007.

In 2010, he entered the House of Commons as an MP for Strangford, a position which he still holds.