A HAMMER attack accused pair charged with severely injuring a woman during an alleged assault at a Greenock flat just yards from the town's sheriff court are set to stand trial before a jury.

George Lafferty, 48, and Shaun Cannon, 24, pinned the alleged victim down after causing her to fall to the floor and struck her on the head with a hammer before repeatedly kicking her on the head, prosecutors claim.

The accused pair are said to have acted with another unnamed individual during the alleged assault within a property on Princes Street on October 22, 2021.

Court papers state that Lafferty, of Old Inverkip Road, was on bail at the time, and that the alleged offence was aggravated by involving abuse of his partner or ex-partner.

READ MORE: Greenock grooming accused charged with sending indecent sexual messages to 'girls'

He is also charged with breaching a condition of that earlier bail order requiring him to stay away from the woman.

Only Lafferty was present in the dock for the latest calling of the case at the sheriff court as solicitor Amy Spencer maintained his not guilty pleas to the indictment charges.

The court heard that matters were previously adjourned due to Cannon's mental health state.

A special defence of self-defence was previously lodged on behalf of Lafferty, while Cannon, of Castlehill Crescent in Kilmacolm, has claimed self-defence, defence of another and incrimination.

A further pre-trial hearing is due to take place on January 23 next year, prior to a four-day jury trial scheduled to begin on February 12.