Gainsborough man bailed after admitting to assault

Mark Page, 30, was due to stand trial at Lincoln Crown Court after it was alleged that he assaulted James Hargreaves.

But Page, of Trinity View, Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Mr Hargreaves when his case was listed for trial.

Page will now be sentenced alongside two other people who have already admitted being involved in the offence which happened on March 18, this year.

Page denied a second charge of stealing a mobile phone from Mr Hargreaves.

A not guilty verdict was entered on the offence after the prosecution offered no evidence against him.

Almas Ben Aribia, prosecuting, said: “The Crown have had time to consider those pleas and I can indicate they are appropriate.”

Rose Kavanagh, defending, asked for sentence on Page to be adjourned for the preparation of a probation report on him.

The court heard Mr Hargreaves did not attend court for the trial but a witness summons to secure his attendance was withdrawn after Page pleaded guilty.

Judge Michael Heath agreed to the request for a probation report and granted Page bail until Thursday, August 25, when he will be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court.

The judge told him: “That is when you will be sentenced alongside the other two people.

“I am adjourning for a pre-sentence report and you can have bail, but you must understand the fact I have granted you bail does not mean you will not be sent to custody.”