A man accused of beating and threatening a woman and damaging her flat is due to appear in court.

Bradley Higgins, 27, of Honey Lane in Waltham Abbey, is accused of assaulting Justine Courtney and causing criminal damage to the walls of her flat on December 4.

Mr Higgins is also charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards Ms Courtney with the intent to cause her to believe unlawful violence would be used against her on December 12.

He is further alleged to have caused criminal damage to a window in her flat on the same day.

Mr Higgins is set to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.