TWO men accused of attacking a woman with a hammer and leaving her severely injured in a Greenock flat more than two years ago are finally set to stand trial next month.

A sheriff told 24-year-old Shaun Cannon and co-accused George Lafferty, 49, that it is 'high time' their case goes before a jury.

The pair are charged with striking Lafferty's former partner on the head with a hammer at an address on Princes Street.

It is claimed they acted with another unnamed individual during the alleged serious assault on October 22, 2021.

They are said to have caused the woman to fall to the floor, pinned her down and repeatedly kicked her on the head.

Prosecutors say that Lafferty, of Old Inverkip Road, was on bail at the time, and that the alleged offence was aggravated by involving abuse of his partner or ex-partner.

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He is also charged with breaching a condition of that earlier bail order requiring him to stay away from the woman.

Not guilty pleas were maintained by both accused men, through solicitors Rhona Lynch and Ellen Macdonald, when Cannon and Lafferty appeared in the dock on Tuesday.

Mrs Lynch told the hearing that matters were previously adjourned due to Cannon's ill health but confirmed her client is now fit to stand trial.

Cannon, of Castlehill Crescent in Kilmacolm, has claimed he was acting in self-defence and that he was defending another, while a special defence of incrimination has also been lodged.

Lafferty, meanwhile, has also claimed self-defence.

Sheriff David Pender told accused pair: "This is a 2021 case, it is high time it went to trial."

A four-day jury trial is scheduled to get underway on February 12.