A MAN has appeared in court accused of attacking his pregnant girlfriend and grabbing her throat.

Wayne Derbyshire, aged 28, is alleged to have assaulted his partner of eight months, at her home in Heaton in the early hours of Saturday morning after he had been out drinking.

It is claimed that the defendant was aggressive towards the woman, who is seven months pregnant, before he attacked her.

Derbyshire, of Paulhan Street, Great Lever, pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by beating and an additional charge of damage to an iPhone 5s belonging to the woman.

The defendant was arrested on Tuesday morning and remained in police custody until the hearing at Bolton magistrates' court yesterday, and the charges are being treated as a domestic offence.

Prosecutor Steven Woods said: "These are very serious allegations."

His defence lawyer Leigh Morgan said Derbyshire denied the allegations.

He was granted bail on the condition that he resides at his home address, does not contact the victim and does not go to her home.

A trial date has been set for May 5.