A CHARD man who allegedly assaulted a woman after throwing a chair in a café claimed he didn’t even know he had struck the victim and that it was a complete accident.

Carlos Delgarno Sanches allegedly became frustrated during an incident and picked up a chair before throwing it recklessly.

When he appeared in the dock before District Judge David Taylor at Yeovil he said that it was a reckless act and he did not even know she was there at the time.

The 36-year-old defendant, of Holyrood Street, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Manuela Barros by beating her during the incident in Chard on December 19.

However, he admitted a further allegation that he was in possession of 2.9g of cannabis resin (class B) on the same date.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that during interview with the police, Sanches admitted throwing a chair after getting frustrated because the owner would not give him another drink and accepted his actions had been reckless.

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that his client maintained he did not realised he had assaulted the victim and it had been a reckless act saying he thought that part of the café had been empty.

A review of the assault matter was conducted and both allegations were adjourned until March 7 when the defendant was ordered to stand trial before Somerset Magistrates.

In the meantime, he was released on unconditional bail.