A DATE has been set for the trial of a man accused of assaulting a North-East couple on a luxury cruise liner.

Graeme Finlay appeared at Teesside Crown Court to deny charges of wounding and grievous bodily harm.

He is alleged to have attacked the elderly couple while aboard the Thomson Celebration off the coast of Lanzarote.

A woman suffered a fractured spine and shoulder injury and her husband serious injuries to his face in January last year.

Mr Finlay, 53, of Meadowside Quay Walk, Glasgow, will appear at the court for a two-day trial from April 20.

Judge John Walford granted bail to the British Gas worker and warned him not to approach the witnesses, from Teesside.