A TRIAL date has been set, days before Christmas, of a man accused of murdering two people at a flat in Bradford.

Bearded and bespectacled Austin Brayford, 37, is accused of the murders of Helen Dawson, 48, and 40-year-old Ivor Spratek.

The bodies of Mrs Dawson (pictured) and Mr Spratek were found last weekend after police were called to flats in Sawrey Place, Little Horton. Mrs Dawson had suffered numerous stab wounds and Mr Spratek had received head injuries.

Brayford, of Sawrey Place, appeared by prison video link at Bradford Crown Court today for a ten-minute preliminary hearing.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, told the defendant he would next appear on September 19 when he would have to tell the court whether he was guilty or not guilty.

The judge set a date of September 5 for a psychiatric report on the defendant to be provided.

A trial has been listed, to last a week, on December 15.

Brayford was remanded in custody until the next hearing.