AN ELLESMERE man accused of escaping from custody will have his case heard at Shrewsbury Crown Court, alongside a group facing charges of aiding and abetting him.

Owen Batha, from Scotland Street, appeared at Telford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, January 18, charged with escaping from lawful custody on April 24 and 28, 2020 in the town, as well as a number of drug offences.

None of the defendants entered pleas in relation to the alleged escape.

The 19-year-old's case was immediately sent to crown court for a hearing on Tuesday, February 15. He did not indicate a plea to the three charges of possession – all for cannabis or resin – or to the two charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and ecstasy.

All the alleged drug offences were between January 1, 2019 and May 5, 2020.

Four others – Andrew Davies, Debbie Jones, Laura Sudlow and Billie Joe Davies – also appeared at Telford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, all charged with aiding abetting and drug offences.

Andrew Davies, 49, of Castlefields in Oswestry, was sent straight to crown court on February 15 for allegedly removing handcuffs from Batha but he pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of cannabis on June 5, 2020.

Debbie Jones, 39 and of Watergate Street, Ellesmere, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of amphetamines on April 25, 2020 and will also attended crown on February 15.

Billie Joe Davies, 18, from Balmer Crescent in Welshampton, will also attend crown court on February 15 but he did not indicate a plea for three further charges of supplying cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.

Laura Sudlow, 40, faced one charge of aiding and abetting and will join her co-defendants on the same date.