Trial Date Set For Trio Accused Of Workington Attempted Murder
Three people accused of attempting to murder a man during an alleged stabbing in Workington are set to stand trial after all three defendants denied the charges against them. The alleged victim was seriously injured during the incident.
Police were called to the Peter Street area of Workington at around 12.30am on Wednesday, July 29, following reports of an incident at a residential property. It is alleged that a man in his 30s suffered suspected stab wounds inside his own home.
Police said at the time that the man suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. The circumstances surrounding the alleged attack have now led to criminal proceedings against two men and a woman.
Antony Gunn, aged 40, Andrew Potts, aged 44, and Melissa Howlett, aged 35, appeared before Carlisle Crown Court. Each defendant faces two charges in connection with the alleged attack.
The principal charge faced by all three is attempted murder. An alternative charge alleges that they unlawfully and maliciously wounded the man with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The alternative allegation is a lesser charge that may be considered by the court in the event that the attempted murder allegation is not established. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The court hearing lasted around 20 minutes and was held before Judge Nicholas Barker. During the hearing, the defendants confirmed their identities by giving their names and dates of birth.
Gunn and Potts attended the hearing remotely through video links from custody. Howlett was present in the court dock for the proceedings.
Gunn and Howlett were described as having no fixed abode, while Potts was listed as being from St Andrew’s Crescent in Whitehaven. The three defendants remain in custody as the case progresses through the court system.
Judge Barker set a date for the case to proceed to a full jury trial. The trial is scheduled to begin on February 2 and has been given an estimated duration of between five and seven days.
Before the trial begins, the case will return to court for a further hearing to review progress. That hearing has been scheduled for November 6.
The proceedings relate to the alleged incident in the Peter Street area, where police were called during the early hours following reports of an attack. The allegation is that the injured man was attacked inside his own home.
The seriousness of the injuries reported at the time led to the matter being investigated as an attempted murder. The court will ultimately determine whether the prosecution allegations against each defendant are proved.
As the defendants have all entered not guilty pleas, the allegations remain matters for the court to determine. No finding of guilt has been made against any of the three defendants at this stage.
The upcoming jury trial is expected to examine the evidence relating to the alleged attack and the individual roles, if any, of the three defendants. The court will hear evidence before reaching a decision on the charges.
Gunn, Potts and Howlett will remain remanded in custody while the case progresses towards the scheduled trial. The next court appearance in November will provide an opportunity for the court to review preparations before the February hearing.
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