Thomas Ted Barrett pleads not guilty to attempted murder

A Glace Bay man accused of trying to murder a woman two years ago pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but pleaded guilty to several other charges on Monday.

Thomas Ted Barrett, 39,pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotiatoone count each of assault,uttering threats andunlawful confinement. He also admitted he disobeyeda court order not to have any contact with the victim.

He is scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 26 to be sentenced on those charges.

Barrett maintains his innocence on a chargeof attempted murder.

Crown attorney Diane McGrathsaid the woman Barrett assaulted will have a chance to present a victim impact statement during next month's court appearance.

Court heard on Monday that Barrett admitted to having his hands on the victim's neck for several seconds and that he prevented her from using the phone.

There is a ban on publicizing the victim's name.

At the time of Barrett's arrest, the victim told police he held her in an apartment in Glace Bay for several days and tried to strangle her.She escaped and went to authorities.

Barrett is alsoaccused of second-degree murder in the deaths of two21-year-old women.Trials for those cases are set for next year.

Earlier this year, Barrett was hospitalized after being stabbed multiple times in the chest area while he was an inmate at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth.