A TEENAGER accused of stealing tobacco from his own grandmother in Chard has elected to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court in the New Year.

Kurtis Doel was arrested by the police and brought before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil in custody after failing to turn up for a previous court hearing.

The 19-year-old defendant, of no fixed address, was charged that between May 6 and 7 at Chard he stole 10 packs of Golden Virginia tobacco belonging to his grandmother.

Doel pleaded not guilty to the allegation and elected to stand trial before a judge and jury at Taunton Crown Court.

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that his client denied taking his grandmother’s tobacco and said he had failed to attend the previous hearing as the person who had offered to give him a lift let him down and he had no way of getting to Yeovil.

The case was adjourned until January 8 when Doel must appear for a pre trial hearing at Taunton.

Until then he was released on unconditional bail.