A woman who was previously a man’s housekeeper before becoming his wife was the alleged victim of an assault by a 67-year-old Gunwalloe man, who appeared before Truro magistrates.

William Vernon faced a charge of assaulting Anne Vernon at Wheal Buller Farm, Redruth on October 7.

Prosecutor Jill Wilson, for the CPS, offered no evidence against him and the charge was dismissed on the making of a restraining order.

The magistrates made the order for three years, banning Vernon from contacting Anne Vernon, from whom he was said to now be divorced, except through solicitors for the disposal of assets, and from going to the Redruth farm.