THREE police officers and a former detective accused of conspiring to frame a colleague will strenuously deny the allegations, their solicitor said yesterday.

All four appeared in court for the first time to face accusations that they framed former colleague Sultan Alam for a crime he says he did not commit.

Mr Alam, 40, a former traffic constable, was jailed for 18 months after a trial at Teesside Crown Court in December 1996.

Former detective Russell Daglish, 44, of Cedarwood Glade, Stainton, Middlesbrough; Inspector Stephen Bakewell, 52, of Carew Close, Yarm; PCs Richard Eggermont, 46, of Handale Close, Guisborough, and Stewart Hopson, 39, of Langleeford Way, Ingleby Barwick, appeared before Teesside magistrates yesterday, charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

They were arrested after a three-year inquiry into the case of father-of-two Mr Alam, who is now a taxi driver.

He was found guilty of conspiracy to steal car parts, despite protesting his innocence since his arrest almost ten years ago.

He served nine months in prison and was sacked from the force, but after his release made the allegations against his former colleagues.

A team from Northumbria Police was brought in by the Police Complaints Authority to investigate the claims.

Mr Hopson and Mr Bakewell are also charged with perjury.

All four were granted unconditional bail and are due to appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 5.

The three serving officers have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

After yesterday's court appearance, the officers' solicitor, Samantha Leonard, said: "The charges made against these men has come as a great shock to them, their families and their colleagues.

"For some considerable time these officers have been living and working under the cloud of this investigation, and will now work towards ensuring that justice is done. They will strenuously deny the charges against them."

Mr Alam said: "In the interests of justice and all concerned, unless it becomes absolutely necessary, I for one will not be commenting on these proceedings until they have been concluded."