Birtley man ‘stalked’ woman from Newcastle to Ibiza

Connor Casey, 22, of The Brambles, Birtley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link from Holme House Prison, where he is remanded in custody.

He is accused of stalking a woman between January 28 and March 16, causing her to fear violence would be committed against her.

The allegation states that he kept track of her movements, damaged and threatened to damage her property, followed her when socialising with friends in Newcastle and when she travelled abroad, to Ibiza.

Casey is also accused of assaulting her, causing actual bodily harm, in Thailand, between January 31 and March 3, this year, and intentional strangulation, at Chester-le-Street, between December 31 and February 1.

All three counts were put to Casey at the hearing and he denied them all.

A timetable prior to trial was agreed, with the prosecution to serve its file of evidence by May 8 and the signed defence statement to be submitted by June 5.

All parties agreed on a trial start date of Tuesday September 1.

Judge Nathan Adams told Casey, of The Brambles, Birtley, near Chester-le-Street: “You have pleaded not guilty and the case is now timetabled to trial.

“By June 5 you need to help in the preparation of your signed defence statement, setting out why you say you are not guilty.

“The trial will start on September 1, and you will remain in custody in the meantime.”