TWO men have appeared in court charged in connection with a serious assault in Parkstone.

Anthony McDonough, 21, of Albert Road, Poole, and John Sherwood, 26, of Hobbs Road, Poole, are jointly charged with aggravated dwelling burglary and two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Julian Bartlett and Simon Tieche.

Simon Clark, prosecuting, told Bournemouth Magistrates Court that the offences relate to an incident in Sea View Road, Parkstone, on Monday.

The court heard that the pair are accused of entering an address in Sea View Road armed with a meat cleaver and iron bar and demanding money from occupants inside.

Two men were taken to Poole Hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries.

Police mounted a major response involving armed officers and dog handlers at 5.30pm on Monday evening following reports of an incident in Sea View Road. They also sealed off an address in Cranbrook Road as part of their enquiries.

McDonagh, represented by Richard Middleton, and Sherwood, represented by David Hurley, were remanded in custody and will next appear at Bournemouth Crown Court via video link on September 25.

Two men aged 25 and 20 arrested in connection with the incident have been released on police bail until October pending further enquiries.