Yeovil pensioner charged with committing serious sexual assault alongside racism charge

THE case of a Yeovil pensioner accused of making racist remarks about a former Nigerian employee has taken a new twist after police have now charged him with committing a serious sexual assault.
William Harding, 71, of Huish, previously appeared before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil, charged with sending malicious communications.

He denied a charge that between August 18 and September 30 last year at Yeovil he sent by means of a public electronic communications network, namely a counter claim to the small claims court, a message that was grossly offensive or of an obscene character.
At a previous hearing the court was told the defendant had allegedly filled in a form to the small claims court saying the victim was a "typical thieving Nigerian".
He is also alleged to have stated "I don't think God made a worse race than Nigerians, I've not come across an honest one yet."
Harding pleaded not guilty to the offence saying he did not intend to cause any offence and did not think the victim would have been offended by the remarks.
The case had been adjourned for a trial to take place but the defendant had not attended since, claiming his poor health was preventing him from attending.
However the magistrates were told that the defendant had now been charged with a serious sexual assault on a woman aged 16 or over at Yeovil in July 13.
Again the defendant did not attend the hearing to enter a plea to the new allegation.
Defending solicitor Chris Ivory said that Harding was "not a well man" and had obtained a medical report saying his client's pain control was being focused on to enable him to attend court with the aid of a wheelchair.
He added that Harding had been prescribed morphine and at the present time he did not believe that the defendant was fit to attend court.
Prosecutor Joanne Pearce said the delays in the case were becoming "increasingly frustrating" for the victim and no detailed plan had been given by Harding's GP about his treatment.
The magistrates ordered a new trial to be fixed for April 15 and the matter was adjourned until April 11 when the case will be reviewed by a district judge at Taunton.