The trial of a Westbury pensioner who admits arson but denies assaulting his wife has been delayed so he can have new hearing aids fitted.

Alan Watts, 70, of Queen’s Court, Westbury, was due to face trial at Swindon Crown Court on a charge of causing actual bodily harm on Monday.

Mr Watts is accused of assaulting his wife, Marion Watts, on March 22 last year.

He has already admitted a charge of arson after he burnt down their marital home in Hawkeridge Road on March 28 last year and was due to be sentenced for the crime this week.

However, Watts, who is hard of hearing, is due to have new hearing aids fitted on Wednesday, June 10 so the trial was adjourned by Judge Douglas Field.

Watts was released on bail with the conditions he does not contact his wife and reports to Trowbridge police station in Polebarn Road on Wednesdays between 3pm-5pm.

The ABH trial is expected to last two days.