TWO men charged with a violent burglary in Freshbrook in the early hours of Tuesday morning have been remanded in custody.

Benjamin Smith, 24, of Cottington Close, Freshbrook and Jason Stiggers, 18, of Sommerville Road in Walcot, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning alongside two 14-year-old boys who cannot be named for legal reasons.

All four were charged with breaking into a house on Bloomsbury Close in Freshbrook with the intention of attacking the occupant, Haimon Iles, at around 3am on Tuesday, March 8.

They were also charged with attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and attempted robbery against Mr Iles.

All four faced two further counts of possession of an offensive weapon – specifically a knife and a dog chain.

The offences are so serious that the case cannot be heard in the Magistrate's Court so the magistrates have referred them to the Crown Court.

The two youths were granted bail until then with strict conditions – they will have to wear a tag and be bound by a curfew, they will need to keep in daily contact with the youth offending team and will not be allowed to contact each other or their co-defendants.

Smith and Stiggers were both remanded in custody by magistrates.

All four will next appear at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, April 8, at 10am.