FOUR people have appeared before York magistrates accused of plotting to murder a man and trying to carry out their plan.

Paul Michael Rishworth, 31, Scott Lewis Hurst, 28, Keely Ann Hurst, 22, and Kieran Harris, 21, are all jointly charged with conspiracy to murder Matthew John Carney.

All four are also jointly charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm upon Mr Carney with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

They will appear together at York Crown Court on December 19 The charges follow an incident on Burnholme Drive, Heworth, on August 12 which left a man in Leeds General Infirmary with serious head injuries.

Police were called to the area at 11.15pm. They cordoned off a local cycle path and carried out forensic investigations for much of August 13.

They also went from house to house making inquiries in the area and were also seen by local residents carrying out operations near nearby allotments and behind a local school.

The four defendants appeared before York magistrates at three different hearings. First to appear were the two Hursts, both of James Street Caravan Site, York. Their court date was on November 22. They were represented by Robertson’s solicitors.

York Press:

Scott Hurst was remanded in custody and Keely Hurst was granted bail on condition she doesn’t contact either her co-accused or prosecution witnesses.

Harris, of Bell Farm Avenue, York, appeared the following day and was also granted bail. In addition to the same conditions as Keely Hurst, he was put under curfew from 7pm to 6am and forbidden to go to a named pub.

Rishworth, of no fixed address, was the last to appear before the court. His appearance was yesterday via a video link. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.

Harris and Rishworth were both represented by Colin Byrne.

At each hearing, magistrates were told that the cases had to be tried by a judge and jury and allocated them to the crown court.