A CHARD man has been ordered to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court after appearing in custody charged with allegations of robbery and assault following an incident in the town.

David Gary Butcher was said to have left the complainant requiring seven stitches to his eyebrow and another one to his upper lip along with grazing and a painful neck.

When he was brought before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil he was charged with the two offences which are alleged to have been committed against a man described as a “street drinker” in Chard town centre.

The 31-year-old defendant, of Hocken Close, was alleged to have robbed Wayne Brewer of four cans of lager and some prescription medication, in Holyrood Street last Friday (June 22).

He was also charged with assaulting Wayne Brewer causing him actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Rhodri Jones said the defendant was said to have spent a few hours drinking with the complainant and some other people.

Butcher asked Mr Brewer for a can of his beer but he refused and then allegedly shouted “give me a beer or I will hit you”

He was then said to have hit the complainant directly in the face which was followed by more blows causing him to black out.

As a result of the attack the victim had to have seven stitches to his eyebrow and another to his upper lip.

The defendant did not enter any pleas to the allegations and the magistrates said the offence of robbery was so serious that it had to be sent to the crown court to be dealt with.

They also agreed to release Butcher on bail despite an application by the prosecution for him to be remanded in custody.

They adjourned the case until July 23 when he must appear before a pre-trial hearing at Taunton.

Until then he must abide by bail conditions not to contact Wayne Brewer directly or indirectly; must live and sleep at his home address; observe a daily curfew between 6pm and 6am and must report to Chard police station three times a week.