A Lowestoft man accused of an attack in which another man was allegedly hit over the head with a hammer will have to wait until November next year for his trial to take place because of the backlog of cases in the criminal justice system.

Tony Bywater, 41, of Rosewood, Lowestoft, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, June 14 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

He pleaded not guilty to wounding the alleged victim with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm on February 11 this year.

He also denied stealing a grinder from the alleged victim and possessing cannabis on the same date.

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley granted Bywater conditional bail until his trial - which is expected to last three to four days - gets under way during a two week warned list starting on November 24 next year.

A further case management hearing will take place on October 9 this year and a pre trial review will be held on November 19 next year.