A man who assaulted the landlord of a Melksham pub is still facing a trial over the circumstances of the attack.

Although Simon Smith pleaded guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm he said he was initially acting in self defence but went too far.

But prosecutors say there was 'not a scintilla of self defence in this,' and want a trial of issue so a judge can rule on the facts.

Colin Meeke, for the Crown, said the 28-year-old was being thrown out of the Pig and Whistle in Melksham when the assault took place.

"He turns, throws a great punch at the landlord who goes down like a sack of spuds," he told Swindon Crown Court on Monday.

Smith, of Russell Court, Warminster, admitted carrying out the assault on Antony Dobbin on Sunday March 31 at an earlier hearing.

Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case for a trial of issue, where a judge sitting alone will hear evidence and rule on the facts, on a date to be fixed.

He released the defendant on bail on condition he does not contact Mr Dobbin or go to the pub.