THE case against a man alleged to have hit someone with a piece of wood near Osney Bridge was thrown out yesterday.
David Watson, 54, who lives on the narrowboat Chivori, was at Oxford Magistrates’ Court accused of assaulting two men. But one of the alleged victims failed to turn up for the trial and the other was not prepared to testify alone. The case was thrown out due to lack of evidence.
The prosecution could not explain why witness Rhys Ballard had not turned up and was unable to contact him. Terry Smith, who was also due to give evidence, turned up but was not prepared to testify on his own as he felt he only came to Mr Ballard’s assistance when Mr Watson was alleged to have assaulted him.
It was alleged that on April 19 Mr Ballard and Mr Smith were talking about Mr Watson when he came over in a “bullying manner”. He was alleged to have picked up a piece of wood from his boat, shouted “come on, then” and assaulted the victims.
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