A NEWENT man accused of three racially aggravated assaults will face charges outside the county as his brother and sister work for Gloucestershire's court service.
Michael Panting, of Glebe Road, appeared at court yesterday over allegations he launched an attack at the Newent Tandoori in Broad Street on May 25.
The 54-year-old is charged with racially aggravated common assaults on Sadique Kabiree, Kobir Rayaan and Jamal Uddin and another charge of making racially aggravated threats.
He faced another three counts of assault by beating the same men and using threatening behaviour during the same incident.
Defending, Clare Gooding asked Cheltenham Magistrates' Court yesterday to transfer the case outside of Gloucestershire because of his connections to the criminal justice system.
She said: "Mr Panting is in a difficult position because he has two family members that work for the court.
"I ask that the case be adjourned and moved out of the court area. This is a normal application as his brother and sister have, for a long time, worked within the court."
Prosecutor Peter Ashby told the court: "It is a case where everyone in this court knows his family and an independent view is needed. I do not object to this application."
Presiding magistrate Tom Fitzgibbon agreed to the application.
Panting was told he would be contacted in the next two weeks and told where and when he will next appear before a court.