Hartlepool brothers to stand trial charged with attempted murder

Lee Clarke, 30, and his brother Tony Clarke, 31, who are both from Hartlepool, face a five day trial at Teesside Crown Court starting on Monday, April 27, next year.

They have both pleaded not guilty on Monday, December 16, to the attempted murder of Shaun Brown in Catcote Road, Hartlepool, on Saturday, November 16.

Lee Clarke’s defence barrister Stephen Constantine said that he had received an injury report and that he thought there would be a final report.

The brothers, who appeared in custody, were warned by Judge Penny Moreland: “If you refuse to come to court for your trial that will be a separate offence.”

Lee Clarke, of Wingfield Close, Hartlepool, and Tony Clarke, of Wharton Street, Hartlepool, also pleaded not guilty to other offences on the same day.

They denied burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm at houses in Fieldfare Road, Hartlepool, and Catcote Road, Hartlepool.

Lee Clarke also pleaded not guilty to the criminal damage of a door at a Hartlepool social club and contacting a woman in breach of a restraining order imposed at Teesside Crown Court on November 8, 2016.

The defendants waved to people in the public gallery as they were further remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing in the case.

Several police officers were called to the scene and Walpole Road was sealed off to the rear of shops in Catcote Road.