A MAN accused of breaking into a car at Chard and attempting to steal items in it also denied assaulting both the owners who confronted him at the scene.

Kyle Unsworth, of Lyewater, Crewkerne, pleaded not guilty to attempting to steal from a Peugeot 308 belonging to the victims at Chard on April 21 when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates.

The 30-year-old also denied assaulting both of them by beating them during the same incident.

Prosecutor Ben Winzer told the court at Yeovil that the owners of the Peugeot vehicle allegedly came across Unsworth while he was inside it and he was then said to have assaulted them both.

Defending solicitor Jeffrey Bannister said his client claimed he had been acting in self defence.

He said he was the one who was attacked by one of the victims and said the other joined in and then became injured by being kicked in the leg.

He also denied any attempt to steal from the vehicle saying he was never in it.

The magistrates reviewed the denied offences and ordered Unsworth to return to the court on July 8 for a trial to take place.

Until then he was released on bail with conditions that he must not enter Chard, must not contact the victims directly or indirectly and must not go to the White Post Garage or forecourt in Yeovil.