A PENSIONER accused of stabbing a man in a quiet village near Taunton has denied attacking the 22-year-old with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Frederick Alan Day, 72, of Church Close, Stoke St Gregory appeared in the dock at Taunton Crown Court accused of an attack near his home on January 9.

He entered his pleas before the judge, Recorder Jonathan Barnes.

He was charged that on January 9, 2019, Day unlawfully and maliciously wounded Brandon Luther with intent to do the victim grievous bodily harm (GBH).

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

Day also denied a charge that he had a knife in a public place.

He was accused of carrying a bladed or sharply pointed article without good reason or lawful authority in Church Close, Stoke St Gregory on January 9, 2019.

Emergency services were called to the cul-de-sac at around 10.30pm after a next-door neighbour called the police.

The victim, 22-year-old man Brandon Luther, was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital after the alleged attack.

The defendant will now stand trial, which is expected to take place in June and last two or three days.

He was released on bail with conditions to not contact named witnesses or to enter Stoke St Gregory.

The court heard that Day has been living in a family member’s attic since his previous court hearing, at Taunton Magistrates Court on January 11.

His wife is still at their home address.

The case was adjourned until the trial, but a date has not yet been set.