A 41-year-old man has been remanded in custody after being accused of using a blowtorch lighter to burn his girlfriend's hair.

George Hawthorne, of Glenvarna Drive in Newtownabbey, faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, common assault, and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard that police received a 999 call on Saturday night claiming Hawthorne had tried to set the woman on fire at his home.

The woman told officers she was woken from sleep by Hawthorne allegedly burning her hair with a blowtorch-type gas lighter. She said he pushed her off the bed, cutting her arm and finger, amid accusations of cheating.

According to the woman, Hawthorne followed her into the kitchen, banged a hammer on the counter, and threatened to attack a neighbour he believed she fancied. She claimed he twisted the spike of the hammer into her skin when she tried to stop him.

Police who attended the scene noted the complainant had singed hair and blisters on her arm. She said Hawthorne kept putting the lighter towards her hair and burned her left forearm three times.

He is also accused of burning clothing belonging to the woman and ripping up her passport.

Officers searched the property and seized a lighter found under a bedroom pillow and a hammer located behind the fridge.

Opposing bail, police claimed Hawthorne is a serial perpetrator of domestic violence. The detective told the court that the injured party described him as a very jealous person.

Hawthorne denies all charges. During police interviews, he said marks on the woman's arm were from an old injury caused by hair straighteners and suggested she would pick at her own skin due to mental health issues. He rejected having any jealousy because it was only a casual relationship.

A defence barrister argued that no burnt clothing was found and stressed that the lighter belonged to the woman. The barrister disputed the portrayal of Hawthorne as controlling or jealous, noting that his neighbours are elderly men.

District Judge Steven Keown refused bail based on the risks of reoffending and interference with the complainant. Hawthorne was remanded in custody until October 27th.