TWO Huddersfield men accused of conspiring to rob and murder soul singer Joss Stone have mental health problems which may affect their ability to stand trial, a court heard.

Kevin Liverpool, 34, and Junior Bradshaw, 31, are accused of crimes targeting Stone, 24, whose hits include Fell In Love With A Boy, between January and June last year at her home in Devon.

Bradshaw, who the court heard suffers from schizophrenia, has yet to enter a plea to charges of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to commit GBH and conspiracy to commit robbery and is being held at a secure mental health unit pending further tests.

Exeter Crown Court heard that the mental state of Liverpool, who has already pleaded not guilty to the same charges, was a “live issue” and a further psychiatric test was being sought to determine his fitness to stand trial in August.

Prosecutor Simon Morgan told Judge Graham Cottle it may be up to a judge to rule on whether they stand trial.

“It is clear that the defences are not ready for trial and in those circumstances there is no objection to the extension of the custody time limit,” Mr Morgan said.

“It may be that a judge is asked to judge their fitness to plead.”

Liverpool, who was brought up in Huddersfield, is a former student at All Saints Catholic College, Bradley.

Bradshaw was educated at Paddock Junior School and Royds Hall High School.