A NEW trial in a case where a man was alleged to have beaten three friends has been ordered by a judge.

Mark Hope was alleged to have delivered a martial arts style kick to the face of a man. But the jury was discharged for legal reasons and Hope will stand trial again. The case will be next heard on May 26 for mention and to fix a new date.

Hope, aged 20, of Chisworth Close, Leigh, had been on trial at Bolton Crown Court accused of three alleged charges of violence. He denied causing grievous bodily harm to Patrick Roache, assaulting Martin Lamprell with intent to cause actual bodily harm and common assault on John Gregson, on July 22 last year. One of the men who was beaten suffered a broken jaw which needed surgery and months of medical treatment.

The three men who were attacked had been out together and had been to a nightclub in Leigh.

The court was told that as they walked towards a taxi rank Lamprell was suddenly kicked in the face by a blonde-haired attacker. Roache asked the dark skinned man what was going on but he squared up to him before offering to shake his hand. As he shook hands with Roache the dark skinned man suddenly punched him in the face and the blonde-haired attacker joined in.

Both men punched and kicked him and Gregson ended up scuffling with the blonde attacker until police arrived. The blonde man escaped but was caught by police.