A Worcester man has been accused of beating up a 14-year-old girl.

Jason Bridger appeared before Worcester magistrates yesterday accused of assault by beating. The charge concerns a girl who cannot be named for legal reasons.

It was also alleged that the 18-year-old committed the offence on Monday, May 17, while on bail.

Julie Rosamond, prosecuting, said Bridger, of Carlisle Road, Ronkswood, was already due to appear before the court on Friday, May 28, for a "matter of deception" and for assaulting a police officer when he was arrested for that offence.

Adjourned

She asked that the case be adjourned until then.

Barry Newton, defending, said the case hung on the fact that Bridger had allegedly taken the keys to the car belonging to his victim's father.

He had started arguing with his victim about the keys and then punched her. However, when questioned, the father said they were not his keys.

Bridger did not enter a plea but Mr Newton said he denied the offence during the police interview.

Sue Jones, chairman of the bench, adjourned the case until Friday, May 28, and granted Bridger conditional bail on condition he had no contact with his alleged victim or her family or went anywhere near her house, and that he did not have contact with any witnesses to the case.