A man convicted of assaulting a CPS solicitor's wife has been granted a re-trial after claims his case was "prejudiced".
Martin Sutcliffe, 50, was convicted of assaulting Sharon Booth-Howie by Skipton magistrates in November last year. He had denied the offence, which was said to have taken place in a house in Bingley on June 7.
However the trial took place in Skipton as Mr Booth-Howie was said to be a senior prosecutor based in West Yorkshire, who was known to magistrates. Mr Sutcliffe, of Heaton Avenue, Keighley, complained after the complainant's husband attended court and gave evidence.
Applying for a re-trial before Skipton magistrates last Friday, defence solicitor John Mewies said this had created "clear prejudice". The bench ordered that Mr Sutcliffe's conviction be set aside and the case reopened.
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