Man's fitness to plead to be assessed after Sainsbury's incident

Philip Mapp, 44, of Windermere Drive, Warndon, has previously been charged with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon, affray and possession of cannabis.

Mapp, wearing a grey top, appeared on videolink from HMP Hewell to Worcester Crown Court on Monday, (June 19). 

At the start of his hearing his barrister, Lee Masters, explained Mapp was still to be given a psychiatric evaluation to determine his fitness to plead and stand trial. 

As the report was not prepared for the court, Mr Masters said he was asking for an adjournment which was not opposed by prosecutor Simon Phillips. 

POLICE: The police at Sainsbury's Blackpole (Image: Submitted)

The prosecutor asked for a trial date to be set in the event Mapp denied the offences and it went to trial. 

Granting the adjournment His Honour Judge James Burbidge KC told Mapp the next hearing of the case would take place on August 3. 

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"You must enter plea (on that occasion), subject to your mental state," the judge told Mapp. 

STORE: Sainsbury's Blackpole (Image: Newsquest)

The defendant was also told, if required, he would face a trial on November 13 this year.

Mapp was remanded in custody. 

The charges were brought after a series of incidents in Blackpole which started at The Blackpole Inn, Blackpole Road, where a customer was threatened with a bladed weapo, but not injured.

COURT: Mapp appeared on videolink to Worcester Crown Court (Image: Hereford Times)

Police then received further calls from the nearby Sainsbury’s Garage in Windermere Drive reporting a security guard had suffered an injury.

Armed officers swarmed the car park and detained a man nearby on suspicion of attempted murder.