THIRTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Thomas McMahon has appeared before a court charged with assaulting the owner of Caverswall Castle and causing criminal damage there.

McMahon is charged with damaging a stone ball and stone steps at the Grade I-listed building on April 26 this year, common assault on Robin MacDonald and damaging the roof of his Vauxhall Vectra.

He is further accused of being in possession of 42 milligrams of cocaine at Longton on the same day.

The cases were adjourned by North Staffordshire magistrates and McMahon, of Wardley Road, Manchester, will appear before the court again on August 4. He was given unconditional bail.