FOUR men have denied burgling a property after a gang broke in armed with a knife and a crowbar.

Police launched an investigation after reports of a raid by balaclava-clad men in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, in the early hours of February 26.

Two people inside were said to have been assaulted while mobile phones, jewellery and a samurai sword were said to have been taken.

Four arrests were made a short time later.

Manuel Clark, 31, of Poplar Hall Close, Colchester, Francis Ward, 45, of Wilkin Court, Colchester, Sean Middler, 36, also of Wilkin Court, Colchester, and Glen Luckhurst, 37, of Greenstead Road, Colchester, have all been charged with aggravated burglary.

All four denied charges of aggravated burglary and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Ipswich Crown Court.

Luckhurst also denied two counts of robbery, and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place in relation to a separate incident.

Due to court restrictions put on because of the coronavirus outbreak, none of the defendants were able to hold conferences with their solicitors.

Judge Rupert Overbury told them they would retain credit if their pleas were changed.

“These are holding not guilty pleas until you know more about what the case is against you,” he said.

“Credit will be maintained until April 27.”

A two-week trial has been provisionally scheduled for August.

Luckhurt and Middler were remanded in custody, while Ward remains on conditional bail.

Clark had been in custody but Judge Overbury granted him bail to an address in Kelvedon provided it could be deemed suitable by police.

He is also banned from the borough of Colchester.