A CHARD man who admitted being in possession of a knife denied a further allegation of sending offensive photographs and malicious messages to a female.

Darren Michael Bennett, 35, of Holyrood Street, was brought before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil in custody after being arrested by the police.

He pleaded guilty to having with him in a public place, namely Fore Street, Chard, a knife with a curved blade on November 28.

However he pleaded not guilty to a charge that he sent messages to a female via a Telegram app and photos which conveyed a threat for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient on the same date.

Prosecutor Suzie Butler said the defendant had put forward a potential bail address but that had not been verified by the police.

The magistrates ordered the defendant to stand trial over the malicious communications offence on January 21 and in the meantime remanded him in custody saying a future bail application could be made if a suitable bail address was found.