A DUDLEY drug dealer who had heroin, cocaine and a hunting knife at a Worcester hotel has had his case adjourned because he faces other criminal charges in another court.

Ethan Bell, previously known as Ethan Bell-Milne, was acquitted by a jury of the attempted murder of Keil Mansfield in George Street, Worcester, following a trial last December but the 20-year-old still faces drugs charges.

He appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday (March 5) via video link from HMP Brinsford and his case was adjourned until March 22.

The adjournment is so the court can await the result of other criminal proceedings against Bell, which will be heard at Gloucester Crown Court on March 15.

Bell had previously admitted possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply and possessing a hunting knife in a public place.

However, prosecutor Amiee Parkes said the Crown did not accept Bell's basis of plea, which was that he was acting under duress.

The offences happened at the Premier Inn in New Road, Worcester, on June 8 last year - three days before the stabbing of Mr Mansfield, who collapsed and was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Bell, previously of Himley Street, Dudley, appeared on the large screen before Judge Nicolas Cartwright, who told him: "It's too early to know quite what to do about your basis of plea or whether your case is going to be transferred to Gloucester or the Gloucester case here."

He asked that Bell be produced in person at the next hearing rather than over the video link.

Bell was represented at the hearing by Caroline Harris who also represented him during his attempted murder trial which saw him cleared by a jury.

In the meantime Bell was remanded in custody.