Sword attack suspect could stand trial

MP Nigel Jones needed 57 stitches in his left hand

Police say a man accused of attacking an MP and murdering his assistant with a Samurai sword could now stand trial.

Robert Ashman, 52, was originally charged with the murder of Gloucestershire county councillor Andrew Pennington and trying to kill MP Nigel Jones on 28 January 2000.

Psychiatrists said the father-of-two, from Cheltenham, suffered from delusions and paranoid interpretations and a jury decided he was unfit to stand trial.

But the Home Office has now informed the Crown Prosecution Service and Gloucestershire Police that there has been a change in circumstances regarding Mr Ashman's fitness to stand trial.

Severe cuts

The Home Secretary has authorised Mr Ashman to stand trial at Bristol Crown Court on 3 October.

Councillor Andrew Pennington was killed in the attack

It is not yet known what the charges are or whether the hearing will be of preliminary or plea and directions form.

Mr Pennington, 39, was stabbed nine times during the attacks at Cheltenham's Liberal Democrat offices.

Mr Jones received severe cuts to his hands and needed 57 stitches.

Detective sergeant Bob Heywood, deputy investigating officer in the case, said: "We have been in close liaison with the CPS since Mr Ashman's court hearings in January 2000 and have always been in a position to proceed with the case should this occasion arise.

"All the file evidence, information and witness statements were gathered and prepared for a prosecution at the time and that evidence still stands."