The trial of a man accused of stabbing a teenage girl in a village near Bury St Edmunds will take place early next year.

Before Ipswich Crown Court yesterday for a plea and trial preparation hearing via a prison video link was Dimitri Coxon, 26, of Lockyer Street, Plymouth.

He pleaded not guilty to wounding a 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named because of her age, with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm on October 5 of this year.

He also denied a less serious charge of wounding the same girl on the same date.

At the time of the alleged incident last month Suffolk police said a 16-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed during an altercation over a handbag at a house in School Lane, Bardwell.

Coxon’s case was adjourned for a three day trial, which will take place in January or February next year.

He was remanded in custody.