Court upholds remand in alleged axe attack on girlfriend

The Court of Appeal has upheld a Reykjavík District Court ruling keeping a man in custody until August 21 over an alleged attack on his girlfriend, mbl.is reported. The attack allegedly took place at their home in the early hours of July 17, when the man struck the woman in the head at least twice with an object.

According to a medical certificate, the woman suffered, among other injuries, an open skull fracture, a jaw fracture and fractures to facial bones.

The case was investigated as attempted murder or, alternatively, aggravated assault. The Court of Appeal said the suspected offences could carry a prison sentence of more than 10 years and that continued custody was necessary in the public interest.

During an interview at the emergency department, the woman reportedly said she had caused the injuries herself with a milk glass, striking her head until the glass broke. However, a preliminary medical certificate raised strong suspicions that she had been assaulted with a weapon because her account did not match her injuries.

She later told investigators that her boyfriend had returned home at about 2am and attacked her. She said he had been carrying a hammer and an axe, but that she did not know whether he had struck her with his hand or a tool. A relative took her to the emergency department.

The man largely declined to comment when questioned. He said he had not been at home at the time and that he had been in a relationship with the woman for six months, describing it as good.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home, where they found a bloody axe, a crowbar and a rope with what appeared to be blood on it. The man was subsequently remanded in custody and held in isolation.