A MAN accused of carrying out two assaults on a woman and a young child in Merriott has had his sentencing hearing postponed by the courts.

Andrew Ross Barclay, 23, of Hales Meadow, Mudford, pleaded guilty at a previous hearing before Somerset magistrates to assaulting a woman causing her actual bodily harm. He also admitted a further assault by beating a young child during the same incident in Merriott on April 12.

The case had been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.

However When he appeared back before District Judge David Taylor at Yeovil to be sentenced he was told that a report had not been prepared due to staffing pressures on the probation service following the recent privatisation.

The case was further adjourned until September 17, in order for a report to be completed.

In the meantime Barclay was released again on bail with conditions not to go to Merriott, not to initiate contact with the female and not have contact with the other victim unless through social services.