A man who repeatedly breached his bail conditions whilst awaiting trial for an alleged serious assault has been released from prison – where he was being held on remand.
Ben Wilson, 28, is said to have made contact with his ex-partner and asked her to stop criminal proceedings against him on two separate occasions since being charged.
As a result of the breaches and the fact he resided at an address in Corsham close to the alleged victim in the case, he was remanded in custody at HM Prison Bristol on 12 October.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court this afternoon (10 November), Wilson’s newly appointed solicitor Nick Redhead made the defendant’s third bail application in a bid to free him from the cells.
Keith Ballinger, for the Crown Prosecution Service, opposed the application – telling the court that he breached his police bail, then court bail on two further occasions.
Outlining the case, he said the defendant allegedly punched his fiancé in the head twice whilst driving before pulling over his car, grabbing her hair and headbutting her in the face numerous times. It’s claimed the attack happened in front of their young child.
Wilson, of Macey Drive, Corsham, denies a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and the trial is due to take place on 5 December at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Redhead, who has recently been instructed by the defendant’s family, put forward a new address – located 61 miles from Corsham – of Inwood Farm in Nether Stowey, Bridgwater. The property is owned by a family member who has agreed to accommodate him.
He told the court that his client’s stay in prison has been a “shock to his system… he has found it hell”. He said Wilson is unlikely to breach his bail further as a result.
Mr Redhead proposed that he lives at the aforementioned address, is GPS-tagged and is prohibited from entering Wiltshire, save for attending court or a solicitor’s office.
Anna Hollingworth, chair of the bench, agreed to release him from custody, stating: “You have one final chance. Be very, very clear, you know what will happen if your breach it.”
Wilson was bailed with conditions to live at Inwood Farm, remain indoors between 7pm-7am daily, not enter Wiltshire and not to contact the alleged victim directly or indirectly.
