By Court Reporter

ACTOR Simon Dutton, whose TV roles have included playing 'The Saint' Simon Templar as well as parts in East Enders, Holby City and Dr Who, is to stand trial on a charge of assaulting his partner at their Nailsworth cottage.

At Cheltenham Magistrates Court today Mr Dutton, whose recent work includes a role in the Lee Mack comedy series 'Not Going Out,' pleaded not guilty to assaulting Ruth Kelleher by beating her on March 13.

Mr Dutton, who lived in Windsoredge, Nailsworth, at the time of the alleged offence, gave his current address as Slad Road, Stroud.

The magistrates bailed him for trial on June 21 even though the court was told that Ms Kelleher has retracted her statement and does not wish the case to continue.

After hearing that he had accepted a police caution last August for an earlier assault on Ms Kelleher, the magistrates made it a condition he must not contact her or go to their former home pending trial.

Defence solicitor Mike Brown told the court: "This is a domestic allegation. He accepts presence at the time.

“He says there was a verbal argument. He was grabbed by her and he tried to extricate himself during that tussle. He did not punch her as alleged. It will be a relatively short trial."

Prosecutor Graham Dono said the evidence will include a recording of the 999 call Ms Kelleher made to police immediately after the alleged assault.

Asking for bail pending trial, Mr Brown told the court: "She has retracted her complaint and does not support the prosecution and she does not want any bail conditions.”

But the clerk of the court pointed out that Mr Dutton had accepted a caution for an assault on Ms Kelleher last summer. Mr Dutton confirmed that was the case.

Mr Dono said: "I understand it is indeed the case that she has made a retraction statement and is not supporting the prosecution.

“Her views are that she would like unconditional bail”

But he said it would be of 'some concern' to the prosecution if Mr Dutton were allowed to contact her or go to her address in view of the past caution.

He asked for the bail conditions to stay in force and the magistrates agreed.

Mr Dutton's TV credits include roles in Doctors, East Enders, Holby City, Garrow's Law, Doctor Who, New Tricks, Heartbeat, Walking with the Enemy and, most recently, Jupiter Ascending last year.

He played Simon Templar, The Saint, in six two-hour TV episodes in 1989.

He is a vice president of The Saint Club, along with other actors including Sir Roger Moore, who have played the famous Leslie Charteris character.

Playing the Saint was a pinnacle of his career because his mother had named him Simon after the character.

He was formerly married to Tamsin Olivier, daughter of actor Lord Laurence Olivier and Dame Joan Plowright.