Alleged Attacker Of Elderly Birmingham Woman Fails To Appear In Court

3 August 2018, 15:10

An alleged serial offender - accused of attacking an 86-year-old woman - has failed to appear in court to enter pleas.

A judge ordered 30 not guilty pleas to be entered on behalf of Nicholas Mason after hearing he had declined to talk to lawyers while on remand.

Mason is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Birmingham pensioner Veronica Eustace six days into a nine-day string of alleged offences including 19 break-ins and attempted burglaries.

The 43-year-old, of Larches Lane, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, also faces an allegation of robbery, three theft charges, five fraud offences and a count of handling stolen goods.

Judge Paul Farrer QC entered not guilty pleas on Mason's behalf to all 30 charges on Friday at Birmingham Crown Court, after hearing that the defendant had opted not to speak to a solicitor and a barrister.

Mrs Eustace suffered a broken nose and severe neck and back injuries at her home in the South Yardley area of Birmingham on June 5.

Mason was ordered to appear for a pre-trial review at the same court on November 19, a week before a scheduled three-week trial is due to begin.