THE victim of a serious assault assaulted one of the alleged perpetrators a few months later, Devizes Magistrates Court heard.

Roy Wylie, 35, punched Adam Rose in the face twice when he saw him at the Four Seasons pub in High Street, Devizes.

Wylie, of Forty Acres Road, Devizes, pleaded guilty to common assault against Mr Rose in an incident on October 3.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, said Mr Rose suffered soreness to his jaw and face as a result of the attack which was seen by independent witnesses.

In an interview with the police Wylie said he pointed his finger at Mr Rose with a clenched fist and he may have come into contact with his face.

Emm Wrench, defending, said Wylie, who is married with two children, was ashamed and angry with himself for assaulting Mr Rose.

She said Wylie, a builder, was the victim of a serious assault a few months previously and claimed Mr Rose was involved.

She said: "Mr Wylie had to have many weeks off work and his face was badly beaten and bruised as a result of the assault. When he saw Mr Rose he 'lost' it and went to remonstrate with him. He certainly struck him. It was a reckless action and he ought to have known better."

Mrs Wrench thought the magistrates should consider that the assault was as a result of provocation suffered by Wylie.

However the magistrates decided to adjourn the case for sentencing as Ms Sawetz said she would have to check on the allegations made against Mr Rose by Wylie.

The case was adjourned until January 11 and Wylie was released on bail with the condition that he does not contact Adam Rose.

Adam Rose, 19. and his father Kevin Rose, 50, both of Waylands, Devizes, have pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Wylie on June 20 and the case is being prepared for a crown court trial.