A DRUGS conspiracy trial involving both cocaine and cannabis is set to begin in Worcester today.

Six defendants face trial on a four count drugs indictment. The case, due to be opened at Worcester Crown Court today (Wednesday), involves the alleged supply of class A and B drugs in Worcestershire.

The defendants are Karl Browning, 42, of Hurcott Road, Kidderminster; Sinead Lavelle, 33, of Saxon Way, Droitwich; Michael Morris, 55, of Maple Road, Rubery; Darren Pegler, 40, of Coronation Road, Kidderminster; Timothy Valentine, 42, of Beacon Hill, Bridgnorth and Vander Browning, 42, of Usmere Road, Kidderminster.

Morris, Karl Browning, Lavelle and Vander Browning deny conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine) between January 1, 2018 and June 1 last year. Valentine denies conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis between January 1, 2018 and June 1 last year. Karl Browning and Darren Pegler deny conspiracy to produce cannabis between August 1, 2018 and November 1, 2020.

Yesterday (Tuesday) the jury was sworn and sent away. The case is expected to be opened by Timothy Harrington for the prosecution.

Adam Western defends Karl Browning. Suzanne Payne represents Sinead Lavelle. Andrew Davidson appears for Morris. Michael Aspinall is for Peglar, Jason Aris for Valentine and Julia Powell for Vander Browning.

Judge Martin Jackson, who will preside over the case, gave the usual warnings to the jury. He told them: "As I explained to you in your waiting room, we are not actually going very much further today as far as you are concerned. That doesn't mean to say work isn't being done in the meantime."

He explained to them that they would be the judges of the facts in the trial after they had heard all the evidence in the case. He told them that the trial was expected to last four weeks which was longer than the usual two weeks that jurors sit. "Some trials do last longer than that" he said.

The judge also explained that the trial could not sit on Friday and that other work may have to be heard in the court. He warned them not to post about the case on social media and to 'set preconceptions aside' and to judge the case on the evidence that is put before you alone.

The trial continues.