A MAN has denied robbing a man in his 60s of his mobile phone at knifepoint.

Gary Cassell, 34, of Colchester Road, Wivenhoe, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday where he denied robbery relating to the incident, which took place near the One Stop store in Wivenhoe.

However, he admitted a charge of being in possession of a bladed article in a public place after he was found to be carrying a kitchen knife without a good reason in Colchester Road, Wivenhoe.

Cassell is accused of approaching the man near the shop in Vine Drive, at around 1pm on Bank Holiday Monday May 6 and threatening him with the knife before making off with his mobile phone.

Cassell was remanded in custody and will reappear for a trial at the court in October.