A man has denied trying to murder three Emirati sisters in a hammer attack at a London hotel earlier this year.
Philip Spence, 32, was charged with attacking them in their room at the Cumberland Hotel in April.
He was one of four people who appeared at Southward Crown Court on Thursday in connection with the incident, The National reports.
Spence denied three counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and aggravated burglary.
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Ohoud Al Najjar, 34, suffered life-threatening head injuries and lost her left eye in the attack. Doctors have said she has been left with only 5% brain function.
Her sisters Khuloud, 36, and Fatima, 31, also suffered serious injuries, including skull fractures. The three had been visiting London for shopping and sightseeing.
It is believed £1000 of goods were stolen, while another £5000 was subsequently taken from one of the women’s bank accounts.
A co-defendant, Thomas Efremi, 56, appeared in court via video-link and admitted fraud by making 10 withdrawals totalling £5000 using stolen bank cards. James Moss, 33, and Carly Baker, 31, also appeared and pleaded not guilty to handling stolen goods including mobile phones, handbags and jewellery.
Moss and Baker were released on conditional bail, while Spence and Efremi were remanded in custody. They will all return to court on October 6.
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