The trial of a Christchurch professional musician for assaulting his two young sons has been delayed.
James Louis Mason, aged 50, was due to have stood trial in Christchurch District Court this week for smacking his two sons, aged two and four, the Christchurch Court News website reported.
But due to another trial going on longer than originally expected the Mason trial has been adjourned for a new date to be fixed.
Mason was charged after he publicly complained about a warning he received from police for allegedly flicking one of his boys on the ear.
At a depositions hearing in August last year the evidence, which was handed to the court in written form, was suppressed.
The case has attracted a lot of attention as a possible test of the parental smacking laws which were changed under the Labour government to remove a defence for people disciplining children.
Mason is on bail during the remand.
