A CHARD man accused of hitting a male on the head with a glass after he became involved in a verbal altercation involving his wife in a town centre pub denied the offence when he appeared in court.

Sylwester Mazur allegedly intervened in the incident at the Phoenix Hotel, got the complainant into a headlock and then assaulted him.

Mazur, 37 of Henson Park, pleaded not guilty that on January 8 he assaulted George Palmer by beating him, when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates.

Prosecutor Christine Hart said the complainant said he was grabbed by the defendant and then hit on the head causing a cut. A witness allegedly saw Mazur swinging a bottle of beer around.

Greg Peters, defending, said Mazur denied holding Mr Palmer in a headlock or hitting him over the head with a bottle.

The matter was adjourned until May 22 when Mazur will return to stand trial.

He was released on unconditional bail.