A BOXING coach has denied grievous bodily harm, claiming he was acting in 'self-defence' when he put a man in hospital with a 'slap'.

Jonathan Shaw, aged 29, of Mendip Close, Malvern denied two counts of grievous bodily at Worcester Crown Court yesterday. Wearing a long smart brown coat, the defendant and 'self-employed boxing instructor' appeared in court two where he was formally arraigned by the clerk, answering 'not guilty' to both counts.

The two counts on the indictment both relate to the same blow, previously described as a slap, delivered at Keystones bar in Copenhagen Street, Worcester. The wording of both charges involve the allegation that Shaw 'unlawfully and maliciously' inflicted the injuries.

David-Paul Hannay suffered a bleed on the brain following the incident on November 3 this year. Count one is the more serious charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18) while count two refers to a lesser charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm (section 20).

The case was prosecuted by Paul Whitfield who appeared for the Crown.

Jason Patel, representing Shaw, said his client's case was 'self-defence' and that the blow he struck was 'a pre-emptive strike'.

The blow has previously been described in court as an 'open-handed slap'.

We have already reported how an ambulance was called to Keystones, that the complainant suffered bleeding on the brain and was in an induced coma.

The case will feature CCTV footage of the alleged assault. The case has now been placed in a warned list for April 27 next year which means the trial could begin on or soon after that date.

Shaw was told by Judge Nicolas Cartwright the trial could be heard at either Worcester or Hereford Crown Court. The time estimate for the trial is four days.

Shaw was granted bail on condition he lives and sleeps at the address at Mendip Close in Malvern.

He remains subject to an electronically monitored curfew at that address which runs between 9pm and 7am daily.

Shaw must not contact the complainant or other named witnesses, read out in court.

He is not to enter Worcester except to attend Revolution gym in Tolladine Road, Worcester between 9am and 8pm, Monday to Saturday and must go directly to and from the gym.