The alleged victim in a two-punch street attack has not yet been well enough to provide police with an account of what took place, three-and-a-half months after the incident.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that medical evidence relating to the extent of the complainant’s injuries has only recently been received by the Crown in the case of the alleged assailant, Craig Dalkin.

As a result, it has caused a delay in the previously agreed timetable for serving of evidence in the case.

The defendant denied a charge of causing grievous bodily with intent when he appeared for a plea hearing at the court, in late August.

It is understood he is to claim he was acting in self-defence.

At the plea hearing a trial date was set, scheduled to start at the court on July 19, next year.

Read more: Man denies causing gbh with intent arising from Houghton-le-Spring street clash

The allegation stems from a confrontation said to have taken place in Newbottle Street in the centre of Houghton-le-Spring, shortly after 8pm on Saturday July 30, in which the complainant was knocked to the ground suffering a bleed to the brain.

When the plea hearing took place a month after the incident, the court was told the complainant, a 31-year-old man, remained unconscious in hospital at the stage.

A further case management hearing at the court this week was told the medical evidence was only served by the prosecution earlier this month, causing a delay in the defence being able to provide its detailed statement in response.

The court was told the injured party has not, as yet, been well enough to give a statement to police.

Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said: “We are still waiting for the injured party to recover sufficiently to be able to be interviewed.”

Read more: Man in hospital following alleged assault in Houghton-le-Spring

Judge Robert Adams agreed to allow the defence a further week to provide its statement, but still keeping in place the agreed trial date.

The 33-year-old defendant, who was not required to attend the latest hearing, remains remanded to a bail address in Thorney Close, Sunderland, where he must observe an 8pm to 5am curfew.

He is also subject of an exclusion order from Newbottle Street, in Houghton-le-Spring.

Read next:

               Six people jailed in cases at Durham Crown Court this week

               Darlington thug left man unconscious in the street with one-punch

               Darlington Westminster Road fight: Three men charged

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