Coleman trial pushed back (From Times Series)

Trial of former Barnet mayor and Totteridge Councillor Brian Coleman pushed back to April

11:34am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Chris Hewett

A disgraced Tory politician charged with assaulting a member of the public has had his trial pushed back to April.

Barnet Councillor Brian Coleman was due to face a four-hour hearing tomorrow into allegations he attacked café owner Helen Michael in Finchley High Road on September 20.

But the hearing has now been postponed because the district judge at Uxbridge Magistrates, where the trial is due to be held, was double booked.

At a hearing on November 5, Cllr Coleman pleaded not guilty to charges of assault by beating and driving without reasonable care.

Prosecutors say the Totteridge representative lunged at 49-year-old Ms Michael while she took pictures of his illegally parked car on her mobile phone.

The former Barnet mayor allegedly then attempted to drive away but Ms Michael jumped in the front seat and another man opened the rear door as the car pulled away.

In the subsequent melee, the former head of the London Fire Authority clipped a parked van.

The former GLA member has been suspended from the national Conservative party over the allegations.

The trial will now take place at 10am on April 24 at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.