A MAN accused of taking a woman’s bank card and phone in an effort to control her will likely face trial, a court heard.

Darren Daines, of Victoria Street, Dovercourt, faces a series of charges which took place in Harwich between November 2020 and April of this year.

Appearing by video link from Chelmsford Prison, Daines, 39, admitted two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm against the woman, on November 22, 2020 and March 27, 2022.

He denied a third count of assault causing actual bodily harm during the hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, however, stating he would admit the offence if it is instead defined as common assault.

Daines also admitted breaching a non-molestation order between January and April of this year after it had been imposed on him to not contact the complainant.

The court heard Daines is further accused of exercising controlling or coercive behaviour in a family or intimate relationship between April 2021 and 2022.

The complainant alleges he took her bank card and withdrew money, regularly examined her phone and restricted her movements.

Judge Timothy Walker stated Daines will now appear in court on June 1 for him to decide if the case shall go to trial.