Man to go on trial accused of trying to kill woman he thought was GCHQ spy in Cheltenham

A man who allegedly launched a knife attack on a woman he believed worked at GCHQ is set to face trial in the autumn.

Joshua Bowles, 29, is accused of punching and stabbing the woman at a leisure centre some three miles from the UK intelligence agency’s Cheltenham base on 9 March.

He was charged with attempted murder of the woman and assaulting a man, causing him actual bodily harm following an investigation by counter-terror police.

It is alleged that Bowles targeted his victim, who is referred to in charges only by the code number “99230”, because he believed she works at GCHQ and represents the state.

It is claimed he was armed with two knives when he launched the attack at about 9.15pm as the woman left the leisure centre, in Tommy Taylors Lane, with a friend.

The victim suffered multiple stab injuries and was said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

Bowles is also alleged to have punched a man, Alex Fuentes, after being confronted in the car park of the leisure centre.

On 31 March, Bowles appeared by video link from Belmarsh prison before Mr Justice Jeremy Baker for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey.

The senior judge set a plea hearing for 28 July and a provisional trial at Birmingham Crown Court from 3 October.

The case is expected to go on for between three and five days.

Bowles, of Welwyn Mews, Cheltenham, was remanded into custody.