THREE men dramatically changed their plea and admitted being involved in Class A drug dealing.

Jaskaium Kharaud, 21, of Dorchester Way, Coventry, admitted conspiring with others to supply crack cocaine between July 12 and July 24, 2018 and a second count of conspiring with others to supply heroin between the same dates, at the start of the second day of the trial.

Iraqli Balatayou, 18, of The Moorfield, Coventry, who was 15 at the time of the offences, also changed his plea to guilty on the counts when re-arraigned in front of the jury. And a third teenager, who can not be named for legal reasons, also admitted the charges.

After the guilty verdicts, Judge James Burbidge QC, the Recorder of Worcester, turned to the jury and said: “As a result of these admissions to the indictment I discharge you from returning a verdict in this case.” On the trial’s first day Kharaud had been described by Andrew Baker, prosecuting, to be the “lieutenant” to another man, who was described as being head of the operation and who cannot be named for legal reasons. Balatayou and the other youth were described as drug runners taking orders from the lead player and Kharaud.

“The defendants all come from Coventry and they came specifically to supply drugs in Worcester and around the Worcestershire area,” Mr Baker had said.

The first day had ended mid-way through the evidence of Detective Constable Alex Farmer. He had told the jury that the four were arrested after being monitored dealing drugs from a room that was booked at the Travelodge, in Cathedral Square. DC Farmer said as he had tried to arrest Kharoud he had struggled and tried to get away from him. After finally arresting him, DC Farmer said: “I could then see a number of white wraps which I assumed to be class A drugs. My colleague pointed out another snap bag that was on the floor.”

Andrew Baker had earlier told the jury Balatayou was stopped with the two other men in a silver Chevrolet on London Road, and arrested. The prosecutor said £660 in notes, skunk cannabis, and a quantity of bags used for drugs were found on the men, and in the car. “Mr Balatayou had £50 in his right sock,” he added.

Judge Burbidge ordered pre-sentence reports for Kharaud and Balatayou, and they are due to be sentenced on June 14.

He moved straight to sentencing of the youth and the judge said; as it was his first offence, he had played a minor role and stayed out of trouble since the offence which was committed in 2018, he could make the “exceptional” ruling of handing him a conditional discharge.