Man facing trial for ‘wife murder bid’

A CO Antrim man was informed yesterday that he would stand trial later this year on a charge of trying to murder his wife.

James Clifford, from Richmond Crescent in Newtownabbey, appeared at a remote hearing of Belfast Crown Court via videolink from Maghaberry Prison.

When a charge of attempting to murder his wife on May 4 last year was put to the 42-year old, he replied: “Not guilty.”

After being told the trial was expected to last for one week, Judge Donna Mccolgan QC scheduled the hearing to begin on September 13.

The judge told both Crown prosecutors and the defence that any applications in advance of the trial should be brought to her attention.

Defence barrister Neil Moore said he would be seeking medical reports because “there is some form of a psychiatric, psychological issue in this case”.

Clifford was remanded back into custody ahead of the trial.