A 42-year-old man who carried out a serious assault in a town centre hotel has been released on bail by a judge.

Allan North had been due to face a trial by judge and jury after pleading not guilty to a count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

But after he changed his plea to admit a simple count of causing grievous bodily harm prosecutors said they would not seek a trial.

North, of Orchard Road, Marlborough, admitted carrying out the assault at The Bear Hotel, in the town, on Saturday, July 26, last year.

Judge Peter Blair QC adjourned the case to Friday, December 11, to give the probation service time to compile a pre-sentence report.

He said: "I want there to be a full report about you and possible sentencing options from the probation service.

"You must co-operate with them when they contact you in order to make any appointments they arrange."

He released him on bail not to contact the victim or to go to The Bear Hotel and to observe a night time curfew.