A man accused of murdering his wife and mother-in-law before trying to kill their teenage friend should stand trial next year, a judge ruled today.

Ensar Gol is accused of killing his 28-year-old wife Michala and her 50-year-old mother Julie Sahin.

Both women were found stabbed to death by police who were called to the family home following a disturbance.

A friend, 19-year-old Casey Wilson, was rushed to hospital after the attack on Saturday, September 3 having suffered knife wounds to her neck.

Armed police arrested a man in the market place of Thame after being called to the house in Ireton Court.

Gol, who had only recently arrived in Britain from his native Turkey at the time of the killings, was not present for the short hearing at Oxford Crown Court today.

In his absence Judge Anthony King said that if the 21-year-old was found fit to enter a plea he would likely face trial in April next year.

The case, expected to last less than two weeks, would start on April 18, following a plea hearing provisionally set for December 2.

Richard Benson QC, defending, said that Gol would undergo psychiatric tests at top security Broadmoor Hospital near Crowthorne, prior to his next court appearance.