The case against a husband charged with an attack on his wife has been dropped.

Matthew Cox, aged 21, of Northleach Close, Church Hill, denied assaulting his wife Tania and causing her actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Adam Western told Worcester Crown Court that Mrs Cox, in a letter to police, admitted she had "fabricated part of the allegation" by falsely stating her husband had used a knife against her.

Efforts to bring her to court to give evidence at a trial had failed and there was no-one at home when police checked.

Mr Western said Mrs Cox had further sent a letter to her husband's solictor retracting her witness statement.

The Crown had decided there was no reasonble prospect of a conviction and offered no evidence.

Recorder Barbara Carter gave Mr Cox a not guilty verdict and discharged him.