A SOUTH Petherton man accused of assaulting his former partner after she told him to leave her address was then alleged to have assaulted her friend who was there as well.

Jack Nicholas Wakely was also said to have caused damage to her mobile phone and other items in the house when he appeared before a special domestic violence court.

Wakely, 23, of Compton Durville, pleaded not guilty to assaulting his partner and her friend by beating them during the incident at his ex’s home in South Petherton on May 4.

He also denied damaging a mobile phone, curtain pole and door belonging to her when he was in the dock before Somerset Magistrates.

Prosecutor Christine Hart said that the defendant was said to have been drunk when he turned up at his former partner’s address and assaulted her when she tried to call the police. He then allegedly assaulted her friend when she tried to intervene.

Defending solicitor Ray Peters said that Wakely claimed he had acted in self defence regarding both the women.

Following a review of the case it was adjourned until July 17 when the defendant was ordered to return to the court at Yeovil for a trial to take place.

In the meantime he was released on bail with conditions not to contact his former partner directly or indirectly except through a third party for child contact, not to contact the other complainant and not to enter Quarry Piece Drive in South Petherton.