Trio charged with serious assault and robbery enter pleas

A 29-year-old man was allegedly robbed of his wallet, phone, money, shoes and pants on Gough Avenue at around 4.38am on Friday, September 13.

Three men, all of Longford, were arrested and later charged with offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery in relation to the incident.

They are Dominic Bennett, aged 35 and of Marron Avenue, Wesley Burton, aged 40 and of Crowe Avenue, and Jason Millman, aged 53 and of McKee Avenue.

All three appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday to enter pleas for the offences.

Presiding over the case, judge Katherine Pierpoint addressed the defendants at the start of the hearing.

She said: “The three of you are listed today for serious charges. You are all adults, so I do not want any stupid behaviour.”

All three defendants entered not guilty pleas via video link from prison, where they are being held.

The hearing took place at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: NQ) Burton was further charged with one count of theft, having been accused of stealing the victim’s bank cards, which he pleaded not guilty to.

He was also charged with three counts of assault of an emergency worker on the same date the robbery took place and provided not guilty pleas to each of the offences.

Bennett is also facing a further charge of possession of a class A drug, namely cocaine, which he pleaded not guilty to.

A trial date is set to commence on March 10 and is estimated to run for approximately five days.

Concluding the hearing, Judge Pierpoint said: “You have all pleaded not guilty in relation to a series of allegations dating back to September of this year.

“The trial date is set for March 10. If you fail to attend a trial, in all likelihood, your trial will take place in your absence. It is important that you attend a trial.

“You must also attend this court on December 18 for a review hearing.”