Kevin Liverpool Denies Conspiracy To Kidnap And Murder Joss Stone

Man Denies Plot To Kidnap And Murder Joss Stone
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A man has appeared in court to deny charges linked to an alleged plot to kidnap and kill singer Joss Stone.

Kevin Liverpool, 34, appeared at Exeter Crown Court to plead not guilty to conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to commit GBH and conspiracy to commit robbery.

He is accused of carrying out the crimes targeting Stone, 24, between January and June this year with Junior Bradshaw, 31.

Bradshaw also appeared in court but was not asked to enter any pleas to any charges pending the result of psychiatric tests.

The two men, of St Stephen's Close, Manchester, were arrested on June 13 this year, close to the Devon home of Stone, a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who has an estimated £9 million fortune.

The soul singer, whose hits include Fell In Love With A Boy, released a statement at the time of the arrests saying she was "absolutely fine" and "getting on with life as normal".

Her mother, Wendy Joseph, was in the public gallery during the short hearing on Monday.

Bearded Liverpool, who previously lived in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, appeared in the dock wearing a hooped jumper. Bradshaw, who wears his hair in braids, wore a plain grey T-shirt.

The pair were arrested on the St Andrews Estate in Cullompton after being seen acting suspiciously in the area around the village of Langford in a Fiat Punto, several miles from the singer's home near Ashill.

Both men were remanded in custody ahead of a trial scheduled for August 6 next year.