A man is to stand trial accused of abducting his girlfriend then throwing a snake at her during a violent assault.

Eduards Koleda is alleged to have held Audrey Duffy against her will at an address in Arbroath, Angus, in February.

He is accused of pinning her down to prevent her leaving the property before attempting to eat her phone sim card.

Prosecutors say he then slammed a window shut in order to muffle Ms Duffy's cries for help before throwing the snake at her.

Koleda is then alleged to have hit Ms Duffy on the head and threatened her with a pair of scissors.

The 34-year-old, of Sidney Street, Arbroath, denied a charge of abduction and assault to injury on indictment at Dundee Sheriff Court on Friday.

Sheriff Alastair Brown continued the case to a jury trial sitting in January.