A TRIAL of a man accused of throwing a woman down a flight of stairs and kicking her unconscious will not now conclude until more than a year after evidence in the case was first heard.

The prosecution of Joseph McGowan over the alleged assault has been extensively delayed as a result of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on business at Greenock Sheriff Court.

McGowan's alleged victim testified in the case last March.

A planned resumption in proceedings this week has now had to be postponed until April.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said that he had not been made aware that the case was calling until five minutes before the scheduled start of court business.

Mr Gallagher told the court: "This explains why Mr McGowan is not present today.

"I understand that a second Crown witness, who is required to corroborate the evidence of this first witness, is not here either."

Fiscal depute Pamela Brady explained that the trial had been administratively adjourned on a number of occasions due to the Covid-19 situation.

Mrs Brady added: "Very firm steps will be taken to have this other witness cited."

The court heard previously that McGowan, 28, had found the alleged victim in bed with his girlfriend.

The woman, 29 — giving evidence from behind screens — said she thought that he was going to murder her.

She explained that she and the other female had merely gone upstairs to watch a movie on Netflix after McGowan had fallen asleep on a sofa.

The woman told the court that McGowan kicked her on the kidneys and choked her with his hand at the top of the stairs.​

She said that he had dragged her about the floor, causing her to have carpet burns on her knees, adding:​ "His partner was still trying to get him off me because I was choking and making funny noises.​

"He still had his hand on my throat and I punched him and he threw me down the stairs, then he kicked me on my face at the bottom.​

"I think I lost consciousness at that point."

The alleged assault is said to have taken place within the home of McGowan's partner on Greenock's Fairrie Street in November 2019.

McGowan denies attacking the woman.

The trial, before Sheriff Joseph Hughes, is due to resume on April 26.