THE jury has been discharged in the case of two men who are accused of beating up a sleeping man before stealing cash and a phone.

Matthew Bailey and Kevin Wilkinson were on trial at Exeter Crown Court but the case has been stopped after legal argument. It will now be rescheduled for later in the year.

The two men were accused of breaking into a house in Newton Abbot two days before Christmas in 2019 and stealing from Nicholas Loveridge.

Bailey, aged 38, of Stemson Avenue, Exeter; and Wilkinson, aged 48, of Andersea Road, Westonzoyland, Somerset, both denied burglary.

They deny taking any property from the rented cottage in Sandygate, Newton Abbot.

Judge Timothy Rose discharged the jury and adjourned the case until a further hearing later this month, at which a new trial date may be set.