EPPING: Jack Tweed facing trial over taxi driver "assault" (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

EPPING: Jack Tweed facing trial over taxi driver "assault"

10:55am Thursday 15th May 2008 in News By David Jackman

THE on-off boyfriend of Big Brother celebrity Jade Goody is facing a trial over an allegation that he assaulted a taxi driver in Epping.

Jack Tweed, of Roebuck Lane, in Buckhurst Hill, is accused of assaulting taxi driver Stephen Wilkins in the town by beating on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5.

Tweed spoke only to plead not guilty when the charge was put to him during a brief five-minute hearing at Harlow Magistrates Court this morning, and to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

The 20-year-old - who appeared with Jade and her mother, Jackiey Budden, in the last series of Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother show - was remanded on unconditional bail to face a trial, which is expected to last two-and-a-half hours, at Epping Magistrates Court on Monday, August 11.

The date was set after his solicitor had given the court two periods - 11 days in May and ten days in June, which coincides with Mr Tweed's June 9 birthday - when Mr Tweed, who appeared in court wearing a white open-necked shirt and dark trousers, would not be able to attend court.