A PAIR accused of mugging Swindon Link editor Jamie Hill will face a crown court judge next month.

Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court, Joshua Orchard, 20, of Hillingdon Road, Park South, and Ewin Francis, 20, of Priory Road, Park South, entered no pleas to four counts of robbery and fraud by false representation.

They were granted unconditional bail to appear before Swindon Crown Court on January 17 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

The charges relate to an alleged robbery spree in the early hours of June 3, 2018.

It is said the pair attacked Swindon Link man Jamie Hill, making off with his spectacles, vape and wallet.

They are accused of targeting three other men. From one they were said to have taken a bag containing a phone charger, jumper and Tommy Hilfiger wallet. The second was allegedly robbed of his cigarettes, phone and wallet. A third was stripped of his phone.

The men are both charged with fraud by false representation, using a stolen card to make three contactless transactions.

Robbery is an indictable only offence, meaning it can only be dealt with in the crown court – and not by the magistrates.