Experts will report back about what levels of violence are acceptable in ice hockey in the trial of a Bradford Bulldogs player accused of breaking an opposing player's jaw.

Macauley Stones, 19, appeared at Bradford Crown Court today to deny unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Nottingham Lions forward Reece Glossop during a match at Bradford Ice Rink on September 19 last year.

A four day trial was set to begin on September 5 when the jury will be shown CCTV from inside the Bradford stadium and professional photographs taken during the match.

Stones, of Wesley Avenue, Low Moor, Bradford, attended court in a smart white shirt, red tie and dark overcoat.

Michael Smith, for the prosecution, said Stones was alleged to have delivered a flurry of blows to Mr Glossop, 22.

Mr Smith said the Crown was commissioning an expert's report to examine the level of violence that was acceptable in a game of ice hockey.

He told the court: "This is probably the only sport that I can think of, apart from cage fighting or boxing, when anyone would begin to argue that a fracture of the jaw was acceptable."

Mr Smith said Mr Glossop suffered "powerful blows to his face, some of which were when he was on the floor," during the Bulldogs' 5-4 defeat,

He added that there had been similar prosecutions in the US and Canada.

"This is a singularly unique sport for the level of violence," Mr Smith said.

The Crown must make "a careful and robust decision on the case".

Alistair Bateman, Stones's lawyer, said the defence team was already consulting an ice hockey referee who would provide a statement for the trial.

Judge Mark Savill said: "It is a very interesting case and not a straight-forward one."

Witnesses in the trial will include Reece Glossop, Paul Glossop and Andrew Brown.

Judge Savill ordered that the Crown's expert report must be completed by April 19.

The defence team will have sight of it before disclosing its report a month later.

There will be a pre-trial hearing on July 29 after both experts have discussed the case.

Judge Savill said Stones needed to provide a detailed defence statement.

He extended Stones's bail on condition that he does not contact or communicate with Mr Glossop.

Mr Bateman said there were no further games scheduled between the clubs.

Bradford Bulldogs play in the English Ice Hockey Association, NIHL North 2.