Stroud councillor on trial for an alleged assault
Stroud Town Councillor Nick Housden is standing on trial charged with occasioning actual bodily harm.
Nick Housden, 33, of Acorn Way, Hardwicke, began his trial today (18/12) in Gloucester Crown Court, sitting in Cirencester.
It is following an incident which happened on November 2 last year.
Housden is pleading not guilty to ABH and claimed to have acted in self-defence.
The court heard today Housden's relationship with business partner Gerry McGinty had broken down.
The pair were both directors at Bridge Football Academy, the day before the alleged assault Housden was removed from the business.
The office he used to carry out his work as a conservative councillor was leased by the Bridge Football Academy and as part of his contract he was required to give up the office space.
On the 2 November, McGinty attempted to reclaim the office.
This resulted in a physical altercation with Housden, and McGinty sustained a 3.8 cm wound to the head which required hospital treatment.
Today (18/12) the court heard witness evidence from McGinty who said after a verbal argument, Housden pushed his head onto a wall in the office.
He said: "Pushes and punches there thrown by both sides."
But he claimed Housden made the first move.
However, the defence barrister argued Housden was acting in self-defence after McGinty began the altercation.
The trial continues and is expected to last a total of three days.