A 44-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of a Basingstoke police officer who suffered stab wounds to his head, neck and hands.

Thomas Gracey appeared by videolink at Winchester Crown Court to deny the charge in connection with the incident in Churchill Way, Basingstoke, on April 12, 2020.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: “Officers had attended the address to respond to a concern for welfare. During an altercation, the officer, who is in his 20s, was stabbed with two knives, causing injuries to his head, neck and hands.

“The officer is now fully recovered and back at work.”

Judge Susan Evans QC adjourned the case for trial on August 16 with a further preliminary hearing to be held on May 27 and released the defendant, of Littlemore, Oxfordshire, on conditional bail.