A Keady man facing serious assault and attempted hijacking charges will face Crown Court proceedings later this year.
The 29-year-old appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
James Francis Dalton, of Carbry Heights, is charged with attempted hijacking and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
As the charges were read, it was heard that these offences were alleged to have been committed on January 17, of this year.
The defendant is accused of attempting by force or threat thereof or by some other form of intimidation to seize control of a vehicle, namely a Peugeot car.
He is further alleged to have assaulted a female occasioning her actual bodily harm.
Appearing via videolink from Maghaberry, the defendant made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence counsel made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Bernie Kelly was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer and Dalton was remanded in custody to appear before Newry Crown Court on August 19 for arraignment.
