A MAGISTRATES court has ruled that an Ellesmere man's trial must be heard along with his co-defendant, leading to its adjournment.

Edward Goodheart, 45, appeared at Telford Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 22 accused of having acquired, used or had possession of criminal property, namely eight TSB Cheques in the name of G Goodheart – his father – with total monetary value of £3,050 between July and August 2020.

The defendant appeared at court having been on remand and is serving a sentence for a separate offence, but his co-defendant, Paula Tabbron, failed to appear at court. Both have denied the offence.

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The prosecution applied to have the 53-year-old's trial heard in her absence as she had failed to object to Mr Goodheart's statement and other evidence within seven days of receiving them in April.

However, Magistrates ruled that as a court-appointed solicitor had only made contact with Tabbron this week, they felt it was too soon after that for her trial to be heard.

It was also agreed that, as in the prosecution's view, the offences were considered joint enterprise between Goodheart and Tabbron, the pair should be tried at the same time.

Magistrates agreed to adjourn the case until March 10, 2023.

Goodheart will be released on bail when his current sentence finishes, but will have to reside at his current address at Oswestry Road, Ellesmere, and must not approach his father both at and away from his own residence, also in Ellesmere.