A COTSWOLD woman accused of racially motivated assault in the Gloucester branch of Tesco's was allowed to take her young daughter into court with her.

Kaley Ray's case had been listed at short notice and she had not had time to arrange child care.

So, very unusually, Gloucester crown court allowed her to take her daughter, aged about three, into the courtroom with her at the hearing today (Thursday).

The little girl sat quietly with a sketch pad alongside her mum in the seats just outside the dock as Ray, of Barnes Wallis Way, Upper Rissington, attended a preliminary hearing.

Ray is charged with racially aggravated common assault and racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

Stephen Ritter, defending, said there are also two other defendants in the case but they are still progressing through the court system.

Another man had already been dealt with in the magistrates court for his part in the incident, Mr Ritter said.

He asked for a three week adjournment so the other defendants can catch up and appear at the same time as Ms Ray.

Recorder Jonathan Barnes agreed and bailed Ms Ray until Thursday, May 29 on condition that she does not go to Tesco's at St Oswald's, Gloucester.

He told her: "I am sorry that you have rather suddenly had to come to court with the child difficulties that you have got. Make arrangements please for the care of your child on the next occasion."