A DRUG conspirator used a crossbow to threaten violence during a 'turf war' in Worcester.

Dramatic last minute changes of plea from defendants, including Tommy Lee Jauncey and Scott Fewtrell, are expected to shorten a 12 day trial at Worcester Crown Court which only began on Monday.

The jury of 12 women had not even heard the drugs and weapons trial opened by the prosecution when the charges were put again yesterday by the court clerk, resulting in guilty pleas from some of the four defendants in the dock.

Tommy Lee Jauncey and Asgar Khalfe had already admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Worcester between January 1 and August 31, 2017 at a hearing at the same court last month.

Jauncey, aged 23, previously of St George's Lane, Worcester also admitted being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class B (cannabis) between September 1, 2016 and August 31, 2017 at that hearing.

Kane Ingram, aged 21, of Saddlers Walk, Worcester admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, both class A drugs, over the same period at a hearing in September.

Jake Cox, 28, of Mill Street, Worcester, has also now admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

At the hearing yesterday Jauncey, Cox and Scott Fewtrell, aged 28, of Chedworth Drive, Warndon, Worcester, all admitted conspiracy to cause actual bodily harm to Luke Bridger on August 30, 2017.

Jauncey further admitted possession of an offensive weapon (a crossbow) 'without lawful authority or reasonable excuse' in Chedworth Drive, Warndon, Worcester on August 30, 2017.

He also admitted possession of a second offensive weapon (an imitation firearm) with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence. This offence, which involved possession of a blank firing pistol, happened in Carlisle Road, Ronkswood, Worcester on August 30, 2017.

By his admission he accepted he had used the pistol to 'cause another to believe unlawful violence would be used against him or another person'.

Fewtrell also admitted possession of the crossbow in Carlisle Road, Ronkswood, Worcester on the same date.

Steven Bailey, prosecuting, said the Crown had reviewed the case and did not intend to pursue the drugs conspiracy charges against Fewtrell, inviting Judge Nicolas Cartwright to allow those charges to lie on file. Fewtrell denied both conspiracies.

Judge Cartwright therefore discharged the jury from considering verdicts on those two counts with regard to Fewtrell, permitting them to lie on file.

Mr Bailey also said the Crown had agreed not to pursue a count of conspiracy to cause criminal damage to the property of Shah Haque. This charge was faced by Khalfe and Jauncey.

That alleged offence, said to have taken place in Chedworth Drive (and to involve the firing of the crossbow) will be permitted to lie on file.

Because the jury had already been sworn and therefore put in charge of the case they were directed by the judge, as a formality, to deliver guilty verdicts in relation to all the offences so far admitted at the hearing. The panel did so unanimously.

The trial will now involve just two defendants - Kane Ingram and Asgar Khalfe, aged 35, previously of Townley Gardens, Aston, Birmingham. Both men deny conspiracy to cause actual bodily harm against Luke Bridger.

The Worcester News understands that the changes of plea followed close, behind-the-scenes discussions between the prosecution and defence advocates.

Those who have pleaded guilty are expected to be sentenced at the end of the trial at Worcester Crown Court on December 16.