over an alleged clash with a noted US family.

Martin Gould, 41, who is now a reporter with New York tabloid The Star, allegedly tried to force Michael Kennedy's estranged wife Victoria off the road while trying to photograph her.

With Mrs. Kennedy, 39, at the time were her sister-in-law Rory Kennedy and her three children.

The Englishman -- who worked in Bermuda during the 1980s -- was following up claims her husband, son of slain Sen. Robert Kennedy, had an affair with the family's babysitter.

The charges against Mr. Gould -- which he denies -- include assaulting members of the Kennedy family, driving to endanger, speeding, failing to stop and assaulting landscapers who apparently came to help Mrs. Kennedy.

He originally faced two additional charges of assaulting the two women but these were dropped.

Gould was appearing in courts in Massachusetts and Hingham but the case is now being consolidated in one court.

It was for this procedural matter that he had to appear in court on Wednesday, he revealed.

And he will appear in court later this month when a trial date will be set after a hearing on whether or not certain evidence pertaining to the case is admissible.