LYDNEY man Dean Bond accused of assaulting a five-year-old boy by punching him in the face is to stand trial by jury in January.

The 27-year-old, of Harrison Way, Lydney, pleaded not guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to assaulting the boy on February 17 causing him actual bodily harm.

Bond, who has short dark hair and wore grey combat trousers and a dark fleece in the dock, was bailed by Judge Jamie Tabor QC to stand trial on January 16 next year.

It is alleged that the assault left the boy with an injured eye socket and a black eye.

The court was told that the little boy will be giving evidence via video link during the trial.