A SOLDIER and a student have appeared before a crown court accused of attempted murder.
Richard Lawanson and Phillipa Burchell allegedly tried to kill Nicholas Whitfield in Swindon on Wednesday, November 30 this year.
It is understood that Mr Whitfield, 24, of Purton is still unconscious in intensive care but is now able to breathe on his own without using a ventilator.
Lawanson, 23, a serving soldier at Tidworth but originally from Hill Street, Manchester, and 19-year-old Burchell, of Perrys Lane, Wroughton did not enter a plea at the Bristol Crown Court appearance yesterday.
However, Lawanson, who has been remanded in custody at HMP Bristol, took part in the short preliminary hearing via video link.
He was casually dressed in a dark blue T-shirt and spoke only to confirm his name by replying "yes sir."
Blonde-haired Burchell, who stood in the dock, was smartly dressed in a black striped suit and pale blue blouse and also spoke only to confirm her name.
Judge Thomas Crowther granted Burchell conditional bail then told the defendants they would return to the court on Tuesday, February 14.
