Trial of former town councillor is aborted

HE DENIES ASSAULTING FORMER COUNCIL CLERK

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

A FORMER town councillor who was accused of assaulting the former council clerk at the town hall will be cautioned, a court heard.

Former Yarm Town Council member Bob Wegg, 77, had denied the charge of assaulting Juliet Johnson at Yarm Town Hall on July 29 last year. Ms Johnson was the council clerk at the time but both have since resigned their positions.

Robert Wegg, of The Spital, Yarm, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault by beating at an earlier hearing. His solicitor Neil Taylor then told the court: “We deny there was any assault at all. We deny that there were any injuries. We took back a piece of paper which she refused to hand to us.”

A trial was due to take place on Tuesday afternoon. However it was aborted as it emerged the defend ant's attendance at court had been excused and he was going to receive a caution.

Prosecutor Anne Mitchell said: “The case is to be dealt with by way of caution. The Crown are seeking an adjournment for that to be administered.”