The jury in the trial of a Colchester man accused of stamping on his girlfriend’s face has retired to consider its verdicts.

Before Ipswich Crown Court is Joshua Smith, 27, of Straight Road, Colchester, who has denied attempting to wound Charlotte Munns with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm and assaulting her causing actual bodily harm.

The jury retired today and will continue its deliberations tomorrow.

Giving evidence during the trial Smith denied grabbing Miss Munns by the throat and pinning her against a wall during an argument on May 14 .

Smith also denied punching her while she was lying on a bed and then stamping on her face while she was on the kitchen floor.

He claimed injuries to her face were caused by her falling down the stairs while she was chasing him during a row.

Smith also denied assaulting Miss Munns a week earlier on May 7 by throwing a hot spatula at her during an argument, causing a burn on her back.

He claimed the injury was caused accidentally.