A MAN and teenager have denied stabbing a landscape gardener at his home in Maldon.
Michael Cooper, 27, of Thorney Bay Road, Canvey, and a 16-year-old boy from Westcliff, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday (June 30) each charged with wounding with intent.
At a previous hearing, magistrates in Chelmsford heard that Justin Widowfield, of St Peter's Avenue, was attacked in his property at about 1pm on March 17.
The court heard the pair was arrested in South Woodham Ferrers on March 18 in connection with the incident.
Both defendants were released on conditional bail to re-appear before the court for trial on or around October 14.
Judge Charles Gratwicke slammed the legal aid procedure as an "intolerable situation" after Cooper's counsel appeared without being paid properly.
