Northern Ireland

Woman accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend to stand trial

A woman is to stand trial accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend at a flat in east Belfast
A woman is to stand trial accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend at a flat in east Belfast A woman is to stand trial accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend at a flat in east Belfast

A WOMAN is to stand trial accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend at a flat in east Belfast, a judge ordered today.

Sonya Johnston (36) appeared before the city's magistrate's court charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

A co-defendant, 23-year-old James McMahon, also appeared, accused of the same offence.

The charge against them relates to an attack on January 7 this year.

A previous court heard a man was allegedly stabbed in the shoulder at a property in the Newtownards Road area.

Johnston, with an address on Belfast's Ormeau Road, and McMahon, from Galway Street in the city, appeared together for preliminary enquiry.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall granted an application to have the defendants returned for Crown Court trial on a date to be fixed.

Releasing them on continuing bail, Mrs Bagnall declined to lift an alcohol prohibition for Johnston.

Her barrister argued it was to ensure equality with the co-accused.

But police opposed the suggested variation in her bail terms, claiming alcohol was a factor in the alleged offence.

The judge confirmed: "I'm returning her to the Crown Court on the same terms."