The former world boxing champion, Mr Steve Collins, yesterday appeared in court accused of slamming a fridge door against his girlfriend's head following an argument at their home.
The 39-year-old Irishman, a former WBO middleweight champion, is facing a charge of common assault after police were called to his home in Shoeburyness, Essex, last week.
Southend Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Collins is alleged to have thrown a draining rack and a cup at Ms Joanna Davies before storming out of the house. He is then accused of returning and assaulting her by catching her head in the fridge door.
Ms Samantha Lowther, prosecuting, told the court that although Ms Davies had given the initial statement to the police, she had now issued a retraction. Ms Lowther asked magistrates for further time to review the case.
Ms Judith Sheldon, for Mr Collins, asked the bench to consider lifting bail restrictions preventing the former boxer from visiting his girlfriend, with whom he has two young children. The bench agreed and allowed him unconditional bail to return to the court on December 16th.
Ms Davies left the court with Mr Collins hand-in-hand. Both refused to comment.
Ms Lowther had told the court that after Mr Collins was alleged to have thrown objects at his girlfriend, he grabbed some car keys and attempted to drive away from the house. However, he could not get into the car and instead returned to the kitchen.
Reading from a statement given by Ms Davies last Thursday, at the time of the alleged incident, Ms Lowther said: "He then slammed the fridge causing my head to be smashed between the door and the side of the fridge." Mr Collins was then alleged to have told his girlfriend: "Do you realise I could get arrested for this?" Ms Davies is then alleged to have replied: "I don't care."