A STUDENT is to stand trial later this year accused of controlling behaviour and assaulting a former partner on several occasions in 2017.

Ex-Durham University under-graduate Imran Damji-Laurenson is alleged to have carried out the pattern of repressive behaviour during a relationship with a woman while he was a student in the city, last year.

Appearing for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Durham Crown Court, he faced a charge of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, between January 1 and September 25, 2017, in which he engaged in behaviour with the named woman, putting her in fear that violence would be inflicted upon her, on at least two occasions during that period.

A new offence, it came onto the statute book in late 2015 under the Serious Crime Act of that year.

It is intended to reflect repeated and continuous behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, in which the complainant fears that either violence would be committed against them, at least twice, or that they would be caused serious alarm or distress which would have a substantial adverse effect on them.

The 20-year-old defendant, who no longer lives in the city, denied the charge.

He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing the woman actual bodily harm, between March 1 and 31 last year, plus two counts of assault by beating, the first between April 1 and May 31, and the other on September 21,

Judge Christopher Prince said a trial timetable should be put in train to ensure all witnesses in the case, including several fellow students at the time, are able to attend.

The court was told that there was a lot of social media evidence presented to the Crown which would have to be checked through before prosecution and defence cases are able to be presented.

Judge Prince said given the need to try to keep any trial date on track he would list a further case management hearing, at which the defendant is required to attend, to ensure everything is in place.

That was set for Friday September 28, with the trial, itself, which has a five-day time estimate, scheduled to start at the court on Monday December 10.

Judge Prince, himself, will be the trial judge.

He bailed the defendant, of Prestwood Close, Urmston, in Manchester, on condition that he does not contact prosecution witnesses or come to County Durham, other than to answer bail or to appear at court.