AN AYR man has appeared in court charged with strangling and punching his girlfriend.

Shaun Robertson denies assaulting the woman at his address in the town’s Main Street on January 14 last year.

The 41-year-old is alleged to have repeatedly punched her to the face and to have placed his hands around her neck before compressing it.

It is also alleged that Mr Robertson breached conditions of a bail order on two separate occasions.

One of those alleged breaches accuses him of failing to comply with a curfew condition requiring him to remain within his home address between 10pm and 6am.

Mr Robertson pleaded not guilty to all the charges on the Crown’s indictment during a brief hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court.

His pre-trial first diet hearing was continued until next month and bail was continued.