THE trial of two Lydney women accused of assault has had to be delayed for almost five months at Gloucester Crown Court because the prosecution barrister has tested positive for Covid.

The barrister, Simran Kamal, appeared via videolink before the court this morning to explain that she'd had a positive test on December 27 and it had been impossible to find another barrister to take over the case in time.

Legal chambers up and down the country from Cardiff to Winchester and Birmingham to Plymouth had been unable to supply a replacement lawyer for her, she said.

Donna Robins, 45, and Ellie Mai Robins, 19, both of Severn Bank Avenue, Lydney, have denied a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm and a trial expected to last four days was to have got under way on Tuesday (January 4) at Cirencester Courthouse.

They had been excused attendance because of the likelihood the trial would have to be postponed.

The judge, Recorder Thomas Brown, adjourned the trial until May 26 after hearing that was the earliest date at which all three lawyers - Ms Kamal prosecuting and Joe Maloney and Sarah Jenkins, defending, would all be available.