COURT: Three men involved in a Bulmers cider contamination case were due to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today.

Michael Hancocks, Paul Harris and Richard Gay appeared at Bristol Crown Court in April.

The court heard how Hancocks - a share-holder for a rival firm - blamed Bulmers for his firm's business problems.

Prosecutor Victor Temple told the court that Hancocks had hired Gay, aged 51, of Weston Lane, Birmingham, to produce the contaminants. He also asked Harris to pay a Bulmers employee to put yeast in a batch of cider.

Hancocks, aged 63, of Hafod Road, Hereford, admitted conspiracy to defraud Bulmers.

Gay admitted to being in possession of material to be used for making it appear that Bulmers cider had been interfered with.

Harris, aged 42, of Kings Caple, Herefordshire, admitted one count of conspiracy to contaminate cider.

Adjourned

COURT: A man charged with breaching a restraining order by going within 30 metres of a pub has had his court case adjourned - so police can officially measure the distance from where he was arrested to the building.

Dave Pace, of Avon Road, Tolladine, was arrested on Thursday, July 17, this year near the Royal Exchange Inn in the city.

He will now appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on August 20.

Date set

COURT: A 14-year-old boy who has terrorised Worcestershire residents has had his court case for breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) adjourned for another week.

The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will now appear in Youth Court at Worcester Magistrates Court on August 14.