A mother has been accused of plotting to murder her own son.

Alison Murphy, 51, appeared in court charged with conspiring to murder Antony Murphy.

Another of her sons, Gary Lee Murphy, 22, also faces a charge.

He is accused of attempting to murder his brother, Antony.

The case involving the two, relating to Friday, April 15, was heard at Carlisle Crown Court.

Both Gary Murphy, of Hinnings Road, Distington, and Alison Murphy, of Copeland Avenue, Whitehaven, appeared through separate video links before Judge Peter Davies.

Neither defendant entered a plea during a hearing lasting almost 25 minutes.

Each spoke to confirm their identity and to tell the court clerk that they could hear the proceedings clearly.

Gary Murphy wore an open-necked light-coloured shirt. His mother wore a grey round-necked sweater.

A case timetable was agreed by the respective lawyers in the case, who included prosecutor Paul Brookwell.

Defence barristers Kim Whittlestone and Greg Hoare represented Gary Murphy and Alison Murphy respectively.

It was announced during the hearing that a provisional trial date had already been fixed for a day in October.

After a number of other submissions, Judge Davies adjourned the case until August 12 when both defendants are due to reappear at the crown court.

In the meantime, Gary Murphy was remanded in custody.

Alison Murphy was granted bail by Judge Davies following an application by Mr Hoare.

This, she heard, would be on “stringent” terms.

Her bail conditions include residence at an address outside of Cumbria and Murphy must abide by an electronically monitored night-time curfew.

Until the next court hearing, she was told she could not enter Cumbria unless she was attending pre-arranged appointments with her legal representatives.