A MAN has appeared in court over an alleged knife attack on a woman.

Michael Easy stood before Southampton magistrates with his hands in his pockets to hear the charges against him relating to an assault on the sister of his ex-girlfriend in Alma Road, Southampton.

The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth, before being told to sit down to listen to the details of the alleged assault.

Prosecutor Bernadette Kearney told the court that Easy stood accused of assaulting a woman on May 25 and threatening her with a knife, which he held to her chin, causing her to bleed.

As she spoke, Easy, who wore a long, dark grey, hooded cardigan which was buttoned up, sat in the dock shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

He pleaded not guilty to both the assault and the possession of a bladed article, described as being an 8in silver knife.

When asked to stand for the final time by the magistrates, Easy refused, grinning at the security guard next to him, before he gave his defence solicitor, Susan Ridge, the thumbs up as he was taken down to the cells.

No application for bail was made and the case was immediately referred to Southampton Crown Court, where he is due to appear later this month.

Easy was arrested by police on Friday at a property in Itchenside Close, Southampton.