A WEAVERHAM woman due to be sentenced for assault has had the matter adjourned due to the ongoing industrial action being taken barristers.

Michelle Gerrard, of The Crescent, was found guilty of assaulting another woman following a trial at Chester Crown Court in June.

The 39-year-old was back at the same court on Friday, August 5 to be sentenced but the matter has had to be adjourned as her defence barrister was not in court because of the strike.

Judge Michael Leeming told Gerrard that he wouldn’t want to sentence her without representation as there was the possibility of her receiving a custodial sentence.

He told her: “You have nobody here to represent you due to the ongoing industrial action being taken by barristers across the country.

“There is a very realistic possibility of immediate custody in your case.

“With a period in custody possible, it wouldn’t be right to proceed with this exercise without you being properly represented.

“I know this must come as a great upset to you.”

The sentencing exercise has been put back to Monday, August 22.