64-year-old man accused of running over his gardener on farm

A 64-year-old man said to have run over his gardener in a pick-up truck appeared before Bath magistrates on Wednesday 20th May.

Bath Magistrates’ Court

It was said that on 24th March last year at Bull Inn Farm in Chelwood, Christopher French was in charge of a Toyota Hilux and “by wanton or furious driving” caused bodily harm to George Ruddle-Hellier.

French, whose address is the farm at Upper Bristol Road, also faced a second charge relating to the same date and place of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Mr Ruddle-Hellier with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Both charges are indictable, meaning they are so serious they must be dealt with at the Crown Court.

Magistrates committed French for trial on conditional bail. There will be a plea and trial preparation hearing at Bristol Crown Court on 26th June.