A COURT case against a former clerk of Malvern Town Council had to be adjourned after the Crown Prosecution Service failed to disclose documents until too late

Richard Chapman, aged 56, of Whitbourne Hall, near Bromyard, was expected to stand trial at Worcester Magistrates Court on Tuesday on a charge of harassment. Mr Chapman had pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing.

The alleged offence occurred on November 19 last year in the grounds of Whitbourne Hall.

However, Worcester magistrates heard that the CPS had failed to disclose witness statements to Mr Chapman's lawyer until 3pm on the day before the trial.

Jim Mason, for the CPS, said: "Disclosure should have been made for January 18, but it wasn't made until yesterday. In the circumstances, I have to apply for an adjournment on behalf of the defence.

"I have to accept there has been a failure. It's because of current staffing problems; there are simply not enough people."

Magistrates agreed to postpone the trial until Friday, May 18.