THREE Carlisle women who face a crown court trial over allegations of serious violence in April last year have yet to be told when their case will come to trial.

The three women – 36-year-old Lisa Kim Caits, of Eldon Drive; Abigail Marie Gray, 25, of Spencer Street; and Georgia Ericka Gray, 24, of Barrock Street – appeared briefly at the city’s Crown Court yesterday.

No progress could be made towards organising the trial because of the national week of strike action by barristers, including those due to represent the defendants.

All three women are charged with an allegation of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to a woman with intent to do her grievous bodily harm.

Caits and Abigail Gray are also charged with assaulting another woman, causing her actual bodily harm. Prosecutors say all of the offending alleged happened on one day: April 17 of last year.

All three have entered not guilty pleas at an earlier court hearing. Describing the  lack of legal representation as “unfortunate”, Judge Nicholas Barker said the case should be brought back to court next week.

A trial date – quite possibly next year – can hopefully be fixed then, said the judge. All three women were granted bail, with a condition that they are to have no contact with the two alleged victims.