A SERIES of short trials are taking place in Worcester today for offences ranging from assault to speeding.

Gheorghe Cimpoeru of Taylors Lane, Worcester, denies speeding on the M5. The 25-year-old faces two charges - exceeding the variable speed limit between junctions 4a to 5 on June 16 last year and failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver suspected of an offence on August 24 last year.

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Sheila Ellwood, 65, of Witley Road, Holt Heath, near Worcester denies two speeding charges. The alleged offences are said to have taken place on the A443 Worcester Road, Great Wiley on September 18 last year and on September 21 last year, also on the A443.

A round-up of last week's court stories

Morgan Langard, 18, of Harrison Close, Powick denies two counts of assault by beating. At Worcester Crown Court, the Redditch murder trial continues following the fatal stabbing of Colton Bryan who was just 22 years old.

Adam Carpenter, 21, of Wharrington Hill, Redditch, Faisal Fiaz, 21, of Millsbro Road, Redditch and Mohammed Saddam Hussain, 25, of Oakfield Avenue, Birmingham deny murder and conspiracy to rob following the stabbing shortly after 9.30pm on July 15 last year.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Hammed Hussain, the brother of defendant Mohammed Saddam Hussain, left the country after the stabbing which involved a large hunting knife nine inches long is still being sought by the authorities in connection with Mr Bryan's murder.