A date has been set for the trial of man accused of attempting to murder two of his former neighbours.

Francis O’Donoghue, 27, was arrested three weeks after the shooting on a travellers’ site, off Goatswood Lane in Navestock, on August 27.

He has been remanded in custody prior to his scheduled appearance at Basildon Crown Court on December 30.

O’Donoghue was arrested on September 12 and charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a Class B drug.

A 29-year-old man from Islington, north London, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released without charge.