THE case has been dropped against two men from Chard who were charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a father of four in his 30s was left in a coma.

Daniel Barrett, of Crewkerne, suffered life-threatening injuries in an assault in the car park off Abbey Street in the town in the early hours of Sunday, September 22, last year.

He was left unconscious with a fractured skull and was taken to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, with serious injuries. Benjamin Neaves, 25, and Daniel Rodber, 23, of Coker Way, Chard, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared at Taunton Crown Court on Friday (January 24).

They walked free after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Co-defendant Daryl Noake, 30, also pleaded not guilty to the original charge, but pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of grievous bodily harm.

He is due to be sentenced on March 7 at Taunton Crown Court.