A MAN and a woman who are charged in connection with a fatal shooting and a stabbing at a traveller site in Wickford will face a crown court trial.

Levi Draper, 27, of Cranfield Park Avenue, Wickford, is charged with the murder of Hugh Docherty and the attempted murder of his sister Esther Doherty.

He is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.

Harriet Crittenden, 25, also of Cranfield Park Avenue, is charged with the attempted murder of Esther Doherty and possession of a knife.

She was set to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court via video link from prison yesterday morning for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

However, due to a technical error which meant that she could not appear in court via the video link, she did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned.

Instead, a a provisional date of October 16 was set for the trial.

The pair will remain in custody until then.

Hugh Doherty, 45, who also lived at the traveller site, died of a gunshot wound to the chest following an altercation in Cranfield Park Avenue on Sunday, April 16.

His 35-year-old sister Esther was stabbed repeatedly during the brutal attack. Basildon Magistrates Court heard her thumbs were almost severed.

Her “very serious injuries” also included lacerations to the rest of her body. Some went down to the bone, meaning tissue and muscle was exposed.