Assault case against MP Jim Shannon ongoing for three years, court hears

An assault case against DUP MP Jim Shannon has been ongoing for three years, a court has heard.The Strangford MP has been accused of assaulting a woman.The offence is alleged to have taken place on October 1 2023.Shannon, 71, with an address at the DUP office in Frances Street in the town, did not attend the latest hearing at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, which lasted just a couple of minutes.The court heard a defence statement has been lodged, and prosecutors have requested “some further materials from police”, and for a further three weeks for these to be received.A defence lawyer said the case had been going on for three years, and queried why a further three weeks was needed.“There is an abuse of process application in this matter,” he added.The case is next to be mentioned at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on September 29 for a check on progress.Shannon has been the party’s MP for Strangford since 2010.