Two men charged in Joss Stone plot

London - Two men charged with plotting to rob and assault British soul singer Joss Stone had a samurai sword in their car when they were arrested, a lawyer said on Thursday.

Junior Bradshaw, 30, and 33-year-old Kevin Liverpool were arrested on Monday morning near Stone's house in the town of Cullompton, 280km southwest of London, after residents reported a suspicious-looking vehicle.

They appeared on Thursday at Exeter Magistrates' Court in southwest England on charges of conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutor Ann Hampshire told the court that items including the sword and notes relating to Stone had been found in the suspects' car.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their identities and were ordered detained until their next hearing on July 1. No members of Stone's family were in court.

The 24-year-old singer, who is due to start a European tour next month, said in a statement that she was "absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal".