Man accused of assault did not attend court due to showing Covid-19 symptoms

Martin Coffey was due to attend Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

But in the short hearing, held at courtroom one of the court, Judge Nicolas Cartwright heard the 35-year-old had not attended as he had shown coronavirus symptoms, and was following the law that requires him to now self isolate.

Coffey, of Maple Avenue, Worcester, has not entered a plea as he had been due to give it at the hearing, that took just three minutes yesterday afternoon.

Judge Cartwright took the decision to adjourn, with it now being rescheduled to Monday, October 19.

Meanwhile also at the court on Wednesday, Anthony Hall pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving on a county road.

Amrisha Parathalingam, prosecuting, explained that the Crown's case was that Hall is accused of dangerous driving when he was riding a Yamaha motorbike at a roundabout in Birmingham Road, Kidderminster.

And she said it was their case that Hall, of Avenue Road, Dudley, had been racing another motorcyclist in the road.

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Niall Skinner, defending, said his client denied the charge of dangerous driving adding that after reviewing police footage it could not be determined what speed the 21-year-old had been travelling at.

Judge Nicholas Cole set the stage dates when reports and evidence for the case needs to be disclosed by prosecution and defence.

Judge Cole told Hall his trial had been placed in a warned list which means it will be heard as soon as possible after February 22 next year.

The judge warned if he did not attend his trial it could go ahead in his absence, and added if he wanted to change his plea he should do so sooner rather than later, as any credit for plea reduces the closer to the trial date.