Reading Magistrates' Court: man accused of grievous bodily harm attack in Thatcham

THE case of a man accused of an attack which resulted in grievous bodily harm is so serious it must be dealt with by a crown court, Reading magistrates ruled.

In the dock on Wednesday, May 5, was Grant William Newcombe.

The 49-year-old, currently of no fixed address, is accused of causing Matthew Hunt grievous bodily harm by unlawfully and maliciously wounding him in Thatcham on September 18 last year.

Mr Newcombe, who was legally represented at the hearing, was told that magistrates were declining further jurisdiction because they considered their own powers of punishment, in the event of a conviction, could be insufficient.

They sent the case to Reading Crown Court to be dealt with by a judge and, in the event of a not guilty plea, a jury.

Mr Newcombe was meanwhile released on conditional bail.