A prosecution bungle means the trial of a man accused of burning the initials ‘STFC’ into Oxford United’s pitch has been delayed for three months.

Liam Jones, 21, was due to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with criminal damage valued at £2,608.80 in August 2011.

But prosecutors failed to arrange for him to come to court so the trial was adjourned until April 4.

Jones, of Webbs Wood, Peatmoor, Swindon, denies the charge.