A WOODCHESTER man has been charged with dangerous driving in a Mercedes and assaulting a police officer.

Scott Skipper, aged 36, of Southbank, Woodchester, is accused of dangerous driving in a Mercedes on the A40 Golden Valley bypass on October 22 last year, failing to provide a blood specimen and assaulting a police officer.

He denies the charges.

The case was mentioned at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday (September 21) at the request of prosecutor Nicholas Lee because Skipper's legal team had not provided the defence case statement within the time set by a judge at a previous hearing.

Defence advocate Steve Young told the court "I apologise to my learned friend and to the court.

"The defence statement is drafted but is yet to be approved by my client.

"Today's hearing was listed at very short notice yesterday and we have not been able to get hold of Mr Skipper until today.

"I have spoken to him on the phone this morning and I would ask for a direction that I be allowed to serve the statement within seven days."

The judge, Recorder David Mason, said that as the trial is not listed to take place until April 2 next year he was happy to allow Mr Young a further 14 days to serve the paperwork.

Recorder Mason then set a timetable for the rest of the stages of the trial.