AN attempted murder charge brought against a 42-year-old Ellesmere man has been dropped by the prosecution.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court today, prosecuting counsel Jonas Hankin told Judge Robin Onions that the Crown would not be proceeding with the attempted murder allegation brought against Dean Sumner of Cambria Avenue, Ellesmere.

And he indicated that a further charge of falsely imprisoning Karen Purvis would also be dropped in due course.

Mr Hankin’s indication came after Sumner had pleaded guilty to two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm to Karen Purvis on December 29 last year.

The first assault, at 1am, involved punching her in the face and the second, at 2.30am, was said in the charge to involve strangling her.

Sumner also faced a third charge of causing actual bodily harm committed by Shrewsbury magistrates, although the name of the injured party was not revealed at Monday’s hearing.

Judge Onions remanded Sumner in custody to await sentence.

The judge told Sumner that prison was the overwhelming likelihood with a sentence “of some length.”

Sumner will appear for sentence on or after April 7.