A CHARD man allegedly assaulted two police officers, leaving one with a broken thumb, during an incident where he was arguing with his partner in the street.

Jordan Jackson, claimed he had been acting in self defence of his partner who was being detained by the officers at the time of the incident.

The 24-year-old of Millfield, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police constable causing him actual bodily harm (ABH) on October 29 last year.

Jackson also denied assaulting a second police officer acting in the execution of his duty when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates in Yeovil.

Prosecutor Julyan Stephens said that the police tried to intervene in an argument between Jackson and his partner and during a scuffle he was alleged to have deliberately bent back the thumb of one of the officers causing it to be fractured, and also assaulted the other one.

Defending, solicitor Chris Ivory said that Jackson claimed he had been acting in self defence of his partner at the time.

Jackson will now stand trial at Taunton Crown Court and will appear there for a pre-trial hearing on April 24. 

Meanwhile his partner, Jade Jackson (nee Sheppard) is also facing charges in relation to the same incident but did not attend the court hearing.

The 25-year-old, also of Millfield, Chard, is charged with assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty and with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause somebody harassment, alarm or distress.

Her case was adjourned until April 5 when she is expected to appear before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil to enter her pleas.