A MAN accused of stabbing a man outside a town centre supermarket has appeared in court to deny a charge of attempted murder.

Mark Anthony Pearson appeared before Newcastle Crown Court this morning in relation to the attack, near Aldi, in Spennymoor.

He was charged after an incident at around 3pm on September 9, which left a 30-year-old man critically injured.

Pearson, 46, of no fixed abode, entered a ‘not guilty’ plea and will now face trial next year.

He also denied of possession of an offensive weapon, namely a folding lock knife, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse in a public place, namely Cambridge Street, Spennymoor, at the same time.

Prosecutor Emma Dowling said the condition of the victim was not clear but that he was on a ventilator four days ago and had not yet been spoken to by police.

A five-day trial date has been fixed for February 25 next year and a pre-trial hearing will be held on December 16.

Recorder of Newcastle Paul Sloan remanded him into custody until then.