Snooker: O'Sullivan trial halted

The trial of world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has been halted after magistrates decided to withdraw from the case.

O'Sullivan, 25, was charged with failing to provide a specimen.

Court proceedings took an unusual twist when chairman of the bench William Rolstone was accused of winking at a journalist in the court.

There will now be a further hearing at Stratford Magistrates Court in east London in front of a district judge to determine what happens next.

Mr Rolstone said: "In the interests of justice, we have decided to withdraw and take no further part in the proceedings."

On Monday Mr Rolstone was initially accused by O'Sullivan's lawyer, Nick Freeman, of winking at the press bench as Mr Freeman made an application for the case to be dismissed.

Mr Freeman stopped his argument and asked: "Excuse me sir did I just see you wink at the press bench? I distinctly saw you."

Mr Rolstone denied winking towards the press bench saying: "Why would I wink at anybody? Do you think I'm gay or something?"

The snooker player was stopped by police in Stratford, east London, on June 4 last year after allegedly driving at 50mph in a 30mph limit in his Porsche 911.

He was charged with failing to provide a blood or urine sample, having been unable to give an adequate breath test.