A MAN who is accused of robbing a street drinker in Chippenham town centre has been remanded in custody by a judge.

Mark Goard had been due to stand trial last month accused of stealing a wallet containing bank cards and £110 from Mark Hiscock.

But after the 37-year-old failed to attend at Swindon Crown Court for the hearing a warrant was issued for his arrest.

When he was brought before a judge at Swindon Crown Court on Monday he explained that he had not received the change of trial date until it was too late.

But recorder Ed Burgess QC remanded him in to custody and adjourned the case for a trial on Monday, April 9.

Goard, who gave the court his parent's address of Pipsmore Road, Chippenham, is said to have robbed Mr Hiscock on Tuesday March 7, last year.

It is said that the 43-year-old complainant was going to use a cash machine in the town centre when the defendant attacked him in an alleyway close to the Esso garage on Bath Road last year.