A MAN accused of beating a puppy to death before assaulting a woman in Oxford has been given a date for trial.

Callum Gerken, of Wood Farm, Oxford, was charged last Friday with one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, one count of assault by beating and one count of conveying a threatening message.

READ ALSO: Community penalty after 'inexplicable' double horror smash that killed two.

Prosecutors claim that the 27-year old scaffolder was at a house at Saunders Road, Oxford, on the night of the incident on April 3.

While there, Oxford Magistrates' Court heard this morning, Gerken was watching a 17-week old Labrador called Shadow.

He is alleged to have caused injuries to the puppy, which ultimately died as a result.

Gerken is then alleged to have assaulted a woman during the incident.

READ ALSO: TRAVELLERS: Gas cannisters and broken glass left at Abingdon football pitch.

His alleged victim had asked Gerken what he had done to the dog, the court heard, before being struck to the right side of her face causing an injury to her lower lip.

Gerken had already pleaded not guilty to all three counts last Friday ahead of his appearance at Oxford Magistrates' Court today.

At that hearing it was decided that Gerken would be remanded in custody to await his trial, which will take place at the same court.

That trial is set to be held on May 24 before magistrates.