Well being Minister Robin Swann shall be required to testify towards a person accused of creating repeated threats towards him, a courtroom heard as we speak .
Appearing in particular person at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court docket, William Herbert Hawkes (45) opted to have his case handled in petty classes after which entered not-guilty pleas to all the prices towards him.
Because of the denials, his solicitor confirmed that Mr Swann must give proof.
Hawkes, from Ardmillan Crescent in Ards, faces prices throughout two payments of indictment, all of that are directed on the well being minister.
The North Down man faces two counts of creating a risk to kill Mr Swann and one cost of sending menacing tweets to the well being minister on November 15 final 12 months, whereas on a second set of prices, alleged to have been dedicated on January 22 and 23 this 12 months, Hawkes faces 4 counts of creating a risk to kill and one in every of sending an offensive or menacing message.
On the time, Hawkes was beneath probation supervision from earlier, related offences additionally referring to Mr Swann.
In courtroom as we speak, District Choose Hamill freed Hawkes on persevering with bail and adjourned the case to September 20 to repair a date for the competition.