THERE will be a delay in the trial of a Dawlish man who is accused of attacking his girlfriend and trying to burn down the couple's home.

Jason Jerome, 39, whose address is in the High Street, was due to face trial at Exeter Crown Court on September 22 but a new date is now going to be arranged.

Jerome, who is in custody, was not required to appear when his case was listed for mention.

At an earlier hearing, he pleaded not guilty to three charges involving an incident at the house on March 11 last year.

These are attempted arson which was reckless about whether life could be endangered, assaulting Ellen Jones, occasioning her actual bodily harm and an offence of affray.

The arson charge stated that the house belonged to Miss Jones, while the affray charge alleged that Jerome's behaviour involved, used or threatened unlawful violence towards another and would have caused a person to fear for their personal safety.

Prosecutor Mary McCarthy asked for the trial to be adjourned for administrative reasons. The hearing was also attended by defence counsel Bathsheba Cassel.

Judge Barry Cotter QC agreed to adjourn the trial, which is estimated to last for three days, but did not set a date at this stage. He said a new date would be arranged once the administrative issues were resolved.