Ref. 71999-03 First on scene Kay Green, left, and Patricia KeltFOUR people have pleaded not guilty to charges of the attempted murder of Swindon man Vincent MacNamee.

Two others denied assisting an offender.

The case heard at Bristol Crown Court will now go to trial later this year.

Mr MacNamee, 39, was found bleeding in a doorway from stab wounds in Stamford Close, Toothill, at 1.30pm on Sunday, August 29.

A great-grandmother and her friend were the first people on the scene.

Kay Green, 75, and her friend Patricia Kelt, 55, thought he would die but stemmed his bleeding until paramedics arrived.

As well as applying pressure on the wounds with a towel and supporting his head with a cushion, the close friends kept talking to Mr MacNamee throughout an ambulance crew's two-hour battle to save his life.

Tony Salvatori, 40, of County Road, Gary Peapell, 26, of Beechcroft Road, Upper Stratton, Anthony Walsh, 26, of Primrose Close, Haydon Wick, and Douglas Thompson, 42, of Victoria Road, pleaded not guilty yesterday to attempted murder.

The four men, who are being held on remand, also denied a charge of wounding with intent.

Amanda Bailey, 38, of Bracknell, and Paul Moss, 38, of Cottingham Close, Freshbrook, pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender.

Moss did not attend the court because of medical reasons, but stated his plea in a letter to the judge, Thomas Crowther, who has asked for a full medical report into his condition by Friday, January 14.

Moss and Bailey are on bail with a condition that they should not approach the victim.

It is believed that the trial will last three weeks, but no date has been set yet.

Jamie Hill