A man accused of a stabbing on George Street in May has pleaded not guilty and is proceeding to trial.

20-year-old Robert Belbin is charged with aggravated assault and robbery with violence. He also faces three counts of breaching conditions of his previous release, which he also denies.

Belbin, who remains free on conditions, was arrested along with several others in connection with a rash of recent violence in the metro St. John’s area, including a spree of shootings and the firebombing of a home in the east end of the city.

He’s charged with the stabbing alone, while several others face weapons charges ranging from trafficking to possession and careless use of illegal guns.

The arrests were made in late May on the heels of incidents which also saw the lobby of an apartment building sprayed with bullets. Police say a recent shooting in the Goulds is also connected to the case.

A number of illegally-owned firearms were also seized from the Brookfield Road area of the city.

Belbin’s trial is set for February 24 and 27 before a provincial court judge.