Huddersfield man denies plotting to kidnap music star Joss Stone

Kevin Liverpool, 34, appeared at Exeter Crown Court today to plead not guilty to conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to commit GBH and conspiracy to commit robbery.

He is accused of carrying out the crimes targeting Stone, 24, whose hits include Fell In Love With A Boy, between January and June this year with Junior Bradshaw, 31.

Mr Bradshaw also appeared in court today but was not asked to enter any pleas to any charges pending the result of psychiatric tests.

The two men, of St Stephen’s Close, Manchester, were arrested on June 13 this year, close to the Devon home of Stone, a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who has an estimated £9 million fortune.

The singer’s mother, Wendy Joseph, was in the public gallery during the short hearing.

Both men were remanded in custody ahead of a trial scheduled for August 6 next year.

Bearded Liverpool, who previously lived in Huddersfield, appeared in the dock wearing a hooped jumper. Bradshaw, who wears his hair in braids, wore a plain grey t-shirt.

The pair were arrested on the St Andrews Estate in Cullompton after being seen acting suspiciously in the area around the village of Langford in a Fiat Punto, several miles from the singer’s home near Ashill.

At a previous hearing, a court was told items including a samurai sword and notes mentioning Stone’s name were found in the car.

The singer released a statement at the time of the arrests saying she was “absolutely fine” and “getting on with life as normal” following the arrest of the two men.

She said at the time: “I’d like to thank everyone for their concern but I’m absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal while the police continue with their inquiries.”

Her mother runs Exeter nightspot Mama Stone’s, a short walk across the city centre from the court building where the hearing took place.