Men charged in Joss Stone plot had sword in car (AP)

LONDON – Two men charged with plotting to rob and assault British soul singer Joss Stone had a samurai sword in their car when they were arrested, a lawyer said Thursday.

Junior Bradshaw, 30, and 33-year-old Kevin Liverpool were arrested Monday morning near Stone's house in the town of Cullompton, 175 miles (280 kilometers) southwest of London, after residents reported a suspicious-looking vehicle.

They appeared Thursday at Exeter Magistrates' Court in southwest England on charges of conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutor Ann Hampshire told the court that items including the sword and notes relating to Stone had been found in the suspects' car.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their identities and were ordered detained until their next hearing on July 1. No members of Stone's family were in court.

The 24-year-old singer, who is due to start a European tour next month, said in a statement that she was "absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal."

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Two men charged in plot targeting singer Joss Stone (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) – Two men have been charged over an alleged plot to target soul singer Joss Stone, police in southwest England said on Wednesday.

Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted by suspicious locals and arrested the pair near Stone's home in the town of Cullompton, in the county of Devon, on Monday morning.

The men Junior Bradshaw, 30, and Kevin Liverpool, 33, both from the northern English city of Manchester, were charged with conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. They will appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

British media reported that the men were involved in a suspected plot to target Stone, 24, who has sold around 11 million albums and has a personal fortune estimated at 9 million pounds ($15 million).

"I'd like to thank everyone for their concern but I'm absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal while the police continue with their inquiries," Stone said in a statement.

Stone, who attended the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April, is due to go on tour next month.

It was not immediately clear whether she was at her home in the Cullompton area on Monday.

Detective Inspector Steve Parker, who is leading the investigation, said: "The two men in custody had in their possession information relating to an individual in the Cullompton area and items which lead us to suspect that they may have intended to commit a criminal offense.

"We're unable to say any more at this time but I would like to thank the local residents for reporting the suspicious car."

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White and Michael Holden; editing by Steve Addison)

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Two men charged in plot targeting singer Joss Stone

Singer Joss Stone performs at the Wal-Mart Shareholders Meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas June 6, 2008.

Credit: Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

LONDON | Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:41pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - Two men have been charged over an alleged plot to target soul singer Joss Stone, police in southwest England said on Wednesday.

Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted by suspicious locals and arrested the pair near Stone's home in the town of Cullompton, in the county of Devon, on Monday morning.

The men Junior Bradshaw, 30, and Kevin Liverpool, 33, both from the northern English city of Manchester, were charged with conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. They will appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

British media reported that the men were involved in a suspected plot to target Stone, 24, who has sold around 11 million albums and has a personal fortune estimated at 9 million pounds ($15 million).

"I'd like to thank everyone for their concern but I'm absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal while the police continue with their inquiries," Stone said in a statement.

Stone, who attended the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April, is due to go on tour next month.

It was not immediately clear whether she was at her home in the Cullompton area on Monday.

Detective Inspector Steve Parker, who is leading the investigation, said: "The two men in custody had in their possession information relating to an individual in the Cullompton area and items which lead us to suspect that they may have intended to commit a criminal offense.

"We're unable to say any more at this time but I would like to thank the local residents for reporting the suspicious car."

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White and Michael Holden; editing by Steve Addison)

View the original article here