A TRIAL about an alleged conspiracy to bring cocaine into Worcester is entering its final stages.

Judge Robert Juckes QC summed up the evidence on Friday at Worcester Crown Court. The jury may retire this Monday to consider its verdict in a case involving undercover surveillance, bugging one of the defendant’s vans and mobile phone evidence.

Lee Bryant, aged 49, of Selborne Road West, Barbourne, Worcester; David Warren, aged 41, of Grasmere Drive, Warndon, Worcester; Ashley James, aged 31, of Cherington Close, Worcester; Deborah Crowther, aged 50; Todd Porter, aged 31 and Tiffany Porter, aged 21, all of Hollymount Road, Tolladine, Worcester; James Jones, aged 42, of Tolladine Road, Worcester and Liam Pearson, aged 51, of Aylton Road, Liverpool deny conspiracy to supply cocaine between September 6, 2011, and October 6, 2015. Warren also denies transferring criminal property, either drugs or money, in April 2015. Warren said he travelled to Liverpool to watch a boxing match, not make contact with drug suppliers.

James, 31, and partner Elizabeth Cottle, aged 25, of Cherington Close, Worcester, deny conspiracy to conceal criminal property between 2011 and 2015, spending the money on holidays, hotel stays and other 'luxuries'. James also denies conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in October 2015.

Ashley James admits dealing DMC, not at that time illegal, and cannabis but denies conspiracy to cocaine, describing it as 'a nasty drug'.

James, his partner Elizabeth Cottle and Tiffany Porter had no previous convictions. Todd Porter also had limited previous convictions.

Todd Porter, Tiffany Porter, Cottle and Pearson gave no comment interviews but said this was because of advice from their solicitors. Crowther and Bryant decided to give no evidence from the witness box. Todd Porter started giving evidence but stopped, preventing him being cross-examined.

The prosecution has attempted to connect the conspirators to an drugs list of Chris Cornes found at 118 Bromyard Road, Worcester, where police found £37,000 in cash and £17,000 of cocaine. In a separate incident police stopped Pearson with £30,000 in his car. He says the money was from selling cars. The trial continues.