A CREWKERNE man facing allegations of assault, harassment and sending malicious messages to his partner has been ordered to stand trial before Somerset Magistrates.

Robert William Way, 25, of Seaborough View, appeared in the dock before the court at Yeovil charged with assaulting the complainant by beating her between June 8 and July 8 at Crewkerne.

He was also alleged to have pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of the same complainant between July 7 and 18 in that he persistently called her and left messages over a period of time.

He was also charged with two counts of sending by means of a public electronic communications network a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character at Crewkerne on July 15.

Way pleaded not guilty to all four alleged offences and prosecutor Stuart Sampson said that the defendant claimed the assault did not take place and that although phone calls were made, there was no intent to cause offence.

A review of the case was conducted and all matters were adjourned until October 3 when Way must return to the court for a trial to take place.

Until then he was released on bail with conditions not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including via social media.