FOUR people, including two from the North-East, have appeared in court accused of being involved in a drug supply ring.

The quartet are said to have played a part in the supply of cannabis resin between the Midlands and North-East, from October 1, 2012, to March 31 last year.

Philip English, 36, of Coniscliffe Road, Stanley, and 32-year-old Catherine Hands, of Swordmakers’ Apartments, Wood Street, Shotley Bridge, near Consett, appeared at a preliminary hearing in the case at Durham Crown Court today (Wednesday March 26).

They were joined by co-accused Ravinder Singh, 27, of Smethwick, in the West Midlands, and 45-year-old Michael David Robinson, of Littleover, Derby.

All four are accused of conspiracy to supply the class B drug.

David Crook, prosecuting, told the court a fifth alleged conspirator, a man also from the Shotley Bridge area, remains at large in Spain, but will be subject to a European Arrest Warrant, “in due course”, in an attempt to bring him back to this country to face trial.

The case was adjourned pending a plea hearing in two months, with a provisional date agreed for a trial of up to two weeks, starting at the court, on Monday September 8.

Judge Christopher Prince bailed all four to return for the plea and case management hearing, at the court, on Wednesday May 28.