TWO Ilminster men have appeared in court in connection with alleged revenge attacks in Crewkerne relating to the theft of a motocross bike.

Christopher Howard Taylor, 61, of Wreath Lane, Forton and Sean Wilkinson, 31, of Winterhay Lane, Ilminster, appeared in the dock together before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

They were both jointly charged with assaulting Philip Lacey causing actual bodily harm during the incident at Crewkerne on February 22.

Wilkinson was further alleged with unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Adrian Porter on the same date.

Prosecutor Christine Hart said the assaults were said to have been committed following the theft of a motocross bike belonging to Taylor’s family and the defendants were accused of “exacting revenge”.

No pleas were entered by either defendant and the magistrates said the offences were so serious that they must be dealt with at Taunton Crown Court.

They adjourned the case until Monday January 4 when Taylor and Wilkinson must appear before a preliminary hearing at Taunton.

In the meantime they were both released on conditional bail not to contact Philip Lacey directly or indirectly and Wilkinson was also ordered not to contact Adrian Porter.