A TRIAL did not go ahead after magistrates heard the defendant was stuck at home looking after his child who could not attend their closed school. 

Alexander Wheeler had been set to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday morning (December 12) for his trial. 

The 56-year-old denies racially/religiously aggravated fear/provocation of violence by words/writing. 

And Wheeler, of Manor Road, Littleton, near Evesham, also denies using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour with intent to cause fear of/provoke unlawful violence. 

The offences are said by the prosecution to have taken place on May 3 this year in Evesham.

Evesham Journal: TRIAL: Alexander Wheeler's trial did not go aheadTRIAL: Alexander Wheeler's trial did not go ahead

At the start of the hearing magistrates heard Wheeler's child was a pupil at a school that had been closed due to the snow. 

The court clerk explained Wheeler had phoned the court to say he had to stay at home with the child, asking for an adjournment. 

Colin Phillips, prosecuting, said the prosecution were in a position to continue with the case.

READ MORE: List of Worcestershire schools closed today due to snow

READ MORE: Bad weather forces three Evesham schools to close on Monday over safety fears

But Mark Turnbull, who was set to appear in the trial to cross examine witnesses, said Wheeler had given a credible reason for his non-attendance. 

After a short deliberation Simon Egerton, chairman of the magistrates bench, said: "The weather is extreme today. 

"There are schools closed today, all in the Vale of Evesham, so there is a good reason to adjourn."

The trial was rescheduled for February 17 at Kidderminster Magistrates Court. 

Wheeler has unconditional bail.

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