An alleged attacker has denied being paid to "beat up" a woman on the orders of her ex-husband.

Lorry driver Everton Bailey told Bournemouth Crown Court his co-defendant, 55-year-old Michael License, formerly of Witney, was his former boss.

Bailey, 41, from Derby, and License, 55, now of Brockworth, Gloucestershire, deny conspiring, with another, to commit grievous bodily harm.

Earlier the court heard Wendy License - who had been married to Michael License for 36 years before she walked out in September, 2006 - had been attacked outside her home in Sandbanks, Dorset, in December, 2006.

Her hands were bound, her mouth taped and part of her hair was cut off.

Her shoulder bag and trainers were removed and she was punched and kicked.

It is alleged Mr License set up the attack after she walked out of their home, using a tracking device to find her.

Bailey admitted going to Sandbanks on December 6 and December 14 but he insisted he only went to collect a car for Mr License.

When asked about the alleged attack he told the jury: "I had no reason to do that at all; I didn't know she had been assaulted until I was arrested at work."

The case continues.