Michael McPhee faces 'racist' attempted murder charge
A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with attempting to murder a teenager in an allegedly racist attack in North Lanarkshire.
Michael McPhee, from Coatbridge, is said to have punched 17-year-old Ejaz Mohammad and repeatedly struck him with a knife in the town on 2 March 2012.
He faces a separate allegation that he acted in a threatening and abusive manner to Usman Aslam on the same day.
Mr McPhee denies both charges which are said to have a racist element.
The 20-year-old appeared for a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
Tony Graham, defending, said Mr McPhee was pleading not guilty to the accusations.
Judge Lord Burns set a trial due to take place in April. The case is expected to last up to five days.