Kevin Liverpool, 35, and Junior Bradshaw, 32, the two men were conspired to rob and murder the soul singer Joss Stone, have gone on trial in Exeter. The pair drove from Manchester to the singer's home in Devon in June 2011, though were arrested with weapons before they approached Stone's home. Prosecutor Simon Morgan told the jury at Exeter crown court: "This case is all about a decision by a group of individuals, of whom these defendants are two, to rob and kill Joss Stone."

"That is not a phrase I have plucked from the air. It is used in documents written by Mr Liverpool during the planning stages of this plot. We don't know who the others are but that does not matter. Your concern is whether these two were part of the plot. It doesn't matter what part they took or planned to take," he added.

The pair reportedly made their way from Manchester to within a short distance of Joss Stone's house, though were arrested in Cullompton after locals reported a strange vehicle in the area. "Joss Stone is an extremely wealthy young woman. These defendants drove from Manchester to find her. Fortunately they were not successful, although she was at home. They were reported by eagle-eyed people of small communities surrounding Cullompton," said Morgan.

The judge has warned the jury not to discuss the case outside of court or to research the case on the internet, where is has been a hot point of discussion. Liverpool and Bradshaw, both from Longsight Manchester, deny three charges including conspiring to murder Jocelyn Eve Stoker. They also deny conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm and of conspiring to rob the singer.

Joss StoneJoss Stone Was The Target Of A Murder Plot In 2011