A MAN who spent Christmas behind bars accused of attacking his former partner lost his bid for freedom yesterday, in spite of a claim she had made up the allegation.

When Michael Reeve appeared before Harrogate magistrates, in North Yorkshire, to deny assault on Helen Gilby, his solicitor, Geoffrey Rogers, said that at the time of the alleged punch in the face - 8pm last Saturday - Mr Reeve, 42, had been at home alone in Low Mill Road, Ripon.

Mr Rogers said Mr Reeve, who was barred by a county court injunction from contact with Ms Gilby, denied he had gone near her home in the Skellgate area of Ripon.

The pair had had a five-year "hot and cold" relationship but separated in June. However, they had spent nights together since - once at Ms Gilby's home and twice at Reeve's flat.

Mr Rogers said: "She has continued to blow hot and cold. When it suits her she is happy to see him, but he doesn't know from one day to another where he stands with her."

Mr Rogers said that on Saturday he had gone home alone after drinking in the Unicorn Hotel. He received three phone calls from Ms Gilby, in one of which she asked if he was alone and in another said: "I thought you loved me."

Mr Reeve had hung up the phone each time, and that appeared to be the motivation for her to call police to get him arrested.

Mr Rogers said Ms Gilby had tried a similar tactic in the past, making a theft allegation against Mr Reeve, and was now facing a charge of wasting police time.

Presiding magistrate John Render told Mr Reeve bail was refused and remanded him in custody until January 7.