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Jordan Smith denied the charge of robbery when he appeared before the court yesterday (March 31).

The offence is alleged to have taken place on November 27 last year.

Smith, of no fixed address, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of having a bladed article on Sycamore Avenue, Knottingley, on the same date.

He is accused of robbing another man of his French bulldog. (the breed pictured)

The 24-year-old appeared before the court via video link from Hull Prison.

Smith is also alleged to have robbed the same man of a gold chain and a mobile phone.

A trial date was fixed for August 5 and is expected to last two days.

The plea hearing was one of a small number of cases heard at Leeds Crown Court yesterday as barristers, judges and court staff continue to try to find technical solutions to enable those involved to appear remotely.

Other defendants who entered not guilty pleas to offences included Daniel Holderness.

Holderness, 31, of Buckingham Drive Wakefield, pleaded not guilty to robbing a man of £20 on February 20 this year.

He denied a charge of assaulting a woman on the same date.

Holderness also entered a not guilty plea to attempted robbery.

A date for his trial will be fixed at a further hearing on June 1.

Paul Caine, 33, of Norwood Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm against a woman on February 29.

His trial was listed for August 12.

Marvin Golden, 43, of Arlington Terrace, Hunslet, Leeds, pleaded not guilty to making a threat kill against a female complainant.

He trial date was set for August 26.

Winston Ashman, 21, pleaded guilty to affray and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He could not be sentenced as the three victims in the case have not been able to provide statements to the court.

Prosecutor Carmel Pearson explained the process of obtaining statements by police was "taking longer than usual" due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The only defendant to be sentenced was Tinasue Gurure.

The 31-year-old, of Carlton Street, Fartown, Huddersfield, was jailed for 13 months after pleading guilty inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The court heard he attacked a man in Huddersfield town centre and broke his leg.

Man to go on trial at accused of French bulldog robbery