Long-running case to go to trial in December

Alleged victim ready to give evidence

A court’s heard it’s taken 16 months to bring a Douglas man accused of assaulting a woman to trial.

Fifty-two-year-old John Alan Cooper, of Albany Road, appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas courthouse.

He’s pleaded not guilty to assaulting the woman on 14 August last year.

The hearing was told he’d pleaded not guilty to the offence last August, but there had been significant delays in bringing the case.

Prosecution advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court Mr Cooper’s alleged victim had been pregnant and her child had serious health problems.

She said the woman’s baby had needed surgery and a long adjournment had been granted to allow for that treatment.

But she added the woman was now ready to give evidence and a trial date could be set.

Mrs Hughes granted bail and Mr Cooper will next appear when his trial begins on 5 December.