A MAN accused of running up bills of hundreds of pounds at hotels in the Bridgwater and Shepton Mallet areas and then leaving without paying is to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court.

Damien John Evans is alleged to have stayed in hotel rooms in Bridgwater, Highbridge and Shepton Mallet, dined out in them and obtained cashback during July last year.

However when he left the three different premises, each time he allegedly didn’t stump up for the bill and walked out leaving the owners high and dry.

Evans, 38, of Fielding Path, Glastonbury, appeared in the dock before District Judge David Taylor, sitting at Yeovil.

He was charged that on July 11, 2019 at Highbridge, knowing that payment for a hotel room and meals from The Grange Hotel was required, he dishonestly made off with intent to avoid payment of £545.10.

He was also charged with a second offence on July 13 for payment for a hotel room, cashback and meals from The Coombe House Hotel in Bridgwater to avid payment of £201.75.

He was also alleged to have dishonestly made off without payment of 132.10 for a hotel room, food and alcohol at The Oakhill Inn, Shepton Mallet on July 23.

The defendant did not enter any pleas to the offences and elected to stand trial at Taunton crown Court.

The district judge adjourned proceedings until February 3 when Evans must appear before a pre-trial hearing at Taunton and in the meantime was released on unconditional bail.