Stone murder-plot accused on trial

The trial of two men accused of plotting to murder pop star Joss Stone will start on Monday.

Junior Bradshaw, 31, and Kevin Liverpool, 34, are accused of conspiring to murder the soul singer in June 2011.

They are also accused of conspiracy to cause GBH with intent and conspiracy to rob.

A court official in Exeter said the pair deny the charges which relate to an incident near Stone's home in mid-Devon.

The trial was due to begin at Exeter Crown Court last year but judge Francis Gilbert QC adjourned proceedings to allow the defence more time to explore further medical evidence relating to the case.

There were question marks over whether Bradshaw is fit to stand trial, having been moved to a mental health unit in March last year.

The pair were arrested on the St Andrews estate in Cullompton after being seen driving around the village of Langford in a Fiat Punto, a few miles from the singer's home.

Bradshaw and Liverpool, both of St Stephen's Close in Manchester, were arrested on June 13.

Their trial is expected to last up to three weeks.