Ledbury stabbing trial will take place next year (From Hereford Times)

Ledbury stabbing trial will take place next year

2:08pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Ledbury

An estranged husband accused of trying to kill his ex-wife and her new partner in Ledbury has been remanded in custody to await a trial next year.

Peter Mason may instruct a leading QC to represent him, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Mason, aged 58, of Newark in Nottinghamshire, spoke only to confirm his name during a 40-minute hearing this morning (Thursday).

He is charged with attempting to murder Deborah Mason and Michael Longden outside their home in the Homend, Ledbury, on Sunday, July 1. Both sustained multiple stab wounds.

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin told Judge Robert Juckes QC at a preliminary hearing that Mason, who was married for ten years and had two children with his wife, was a senior manager with the computer firm Hewlett Packard.

He added it was likely Mason would brief leading counsel to conduct his defence.

Junior counsel Julian Harris confirmed this was possible. A psychiatrist had already been engaged to assess Mason's mental health.

Mr Hankin estimated that a trial was likely to take three weeks. The first date the court can accommodate this is January 2 so a reserve date in April was set. A plea will be taken at a case management hearing on September 24.