LEWISTON — A local man accused of slashing a woman in an effort to kill her denied the charges in court Tuesday.

Abdi H. Yussuf submitted photo

Abdi H. Yussuf, 30, appeared in 8th District Court where he pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including attempted murder, a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

He also was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury on a charge of domestic violence aggravated assault, a felony that carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

Yussuf is facing a third felony charge, aggravated criminal trespass, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Three misdemeanors charged against Yussuf include terrorizing, domestic violence assault and criminal mischief. The maximum sentence for each of those crimes is 364 days in jail. A misdemeanor charge of violation of bail is punishable by up to six months in jail.

On Tuesday, Yussuf told Judge Maria Woodman that he was unhoused and had no money.

He remained free on $1,000 cash bail.

Yussuf’s attorney, Annette Wilson, said his girlfriend has a protection order against him that prohibits him from going home and seeing his children.

According to court records, Yussuf is accused of bursting into the Myrtle Street home of his girlfriend on May 8 and slashing her around the head, face and other areas in an attempt to kill her.

She survived the injuries.

Yussuf is also accused of placing that woman and another man in fear of bodily injury and of damaging property in the apartment during the attack.

He was arrested by Auburn police shortly after the attack and taken to the Androscoggin County Jail, from which he was later released on bail.

Yussuf has a criminal history of domestic violence and criminal threatening in the area dating back to 2017.