Dominic de Souza, a member of Attleborough Town Council, had been due to go on trial at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with stalking his wife on nine occasions and assaulting her by beating.

However, the 46-year-old was told that it could not go ahead and was being adjourned for 12 months, until April 22, 2027.

Dominic de Souza (Image: Attleborough Town Council)

District Judge Matthew Bone told the court that witness statements were not yet available from two officers who attended De Souza's arrest on March 16 last year and that the Crown Prosecution Service had not reviewed the case until seven days before the hearing, meaning it was not properly prepared in time. 

He described the situation as a "crying shame," while De Souza - dressed in a navy suit and gold tie - closed his eyes in apparent frustration when the new date was announced.

De Souza, from Tummel Way, Attleborough, was arrested at his family home following an argument in March last year.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court (Image: Newsquest)

He was subsequently charged with beating her, on March 16 last year, and of stalking her between April 23 and May 10 by turning up at locations where he knew she would be, having knowledge of her routine.

Mr De Souza pleaded not guilty to both charges at Norwich Magistrates' Court last September.

His council, Attleborough, has become known as Battleborough or Aggroborough in recent months following a series of scandals and controversies.

© Eastern Daily Press