Man in crown court over double murder after women killed on Christmas Day in Milton Keynes

A provisional date has been set for the trial of 49-year-old man charged with two counts of murder, after two women died following a suspected stabbing in Milton Keynes on Christmas Day.

Jazwell Brown, of Santa Cruz Avenue, Bletchley, appeared at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday via videolink from HMP Bullingdon in a hearing that lasted 20 minutes.

He is charged with murdering Joanne Pearson, 38, and Teohna Grant, 24.

He has also been charged with the attempted murder of Bradley Latter, 29, and of a teenage boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He is also charged with possession of a knife in a public place and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a Staffordshire bull terrier, in connection with the incident.

The dog was initially thought to have died, but survived.

Brown wore a grey T-shirt and sat with his arms folded throughout - at one stage leaning forward and resting his head in his hands.

He spoke only to confirm his name.

Martin Mulgrew - acting for the prosecution - said post-mortem examinations on the two women were carried out on Monday.

Brown will next appear at the same court on 21 March.

A trial date was set for 17 June and is expected to last seven days.

Officers were called to Santa Cruz Avenue at about 6.30pm on Christmas Day where the two women died.

Mr Latter and the teenage boy were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

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The man and teenage boy are both said to be recovering in a stable condition.

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