A MAN has admitted assaulting another with intent to rob him on the day his trial was due to start.

Defence counsel for Tobias Williams, 20, asked for a charge of assaulting Robin Merrington with intent to rob in Exeter, on May 22 last year, to be put to his client again and Williams pleaded guilty.

Rupert Taylor, defending, also asked that three offences of dishonesty be put to Williams and he also admitted those.

Little detail of the alleged incidents were given in court.

Judge Graham Cottle said the assault was a nasty incident where violence was used.

One of the dishonesty offences also involved Williams striking a police officer on the head with a bottle of wine.

Williams, of Pentire Avenue, Newquay, Cornwall, was remanded in custody.

Mr Taylor asked for psychiatric reports to be prepared on Williams before he is sentenced.

Judge Cottle told Williams: "You don't get any credit for pleading guilty on the morning of your trial. The court could have listed some other case.

"Court time is wasted by defendants coming to court on the day of their trial and pleading guilty with the knock on consequences that has."