A major trial into allegations of high-level drug dealing, guns movement and attempted murder has been halted.

Five men have been on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court over the last several weeks accused of playing parts in the plot.

But this has now come to an abrupt halt after one of the defendants, 37-year-old Jamie Rothwell, became unable to continue the trial due to being unwell.

Judge Alan Conrad KC said: “There are many pieces to a criminal trial and the court does not always have control over the things that might cause a trial to be delayed or even aborted.”

He told the jury that doctors had decided that Rothwell, of Grindon Avenue, Salford, would not be able to continue the trial “for the foreseeable future".

The case was heard at Minshull Street Crown CourtThe case was heard at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Rothwell had not been in court that day while another of the men, 32-year-old Callum Morris, of Carr Bank Crescent, Atherton, appeared before the court via video link.

This left the three remaining defendants, James Close, 40, of Henly Street, Leigh, Craig Mackinson, 49, of Springpool, Winstanley, and Terence McDonagh, 33, of Forncroft Avenue, Astley, sat together in the dock.

Judge Conrad told the jury that the court had debated how best to continue the trial before deciding that the five defendants were best tried together.

He said: “Therefore the position has been reached that the trial as a whole cannot continue.”

He thanked the jury for their service before discharging them.

Prosecutor Jamie Hamilton KC, who had opened the case, and the men’s various defence barristers agreed to return to court for a retrial early next year.

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All five men deny conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, while Morris also denies conspiracy to murder.

Close, Makinson, Morris and Rothwell deny conspiracy to supply cocaine while Makinson also denies counts of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply amphetamines.

Close, Makinson and Morris deny conspiracy to possess criminal property while Rothwell denies four counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

He also denies conspiracy to supply heroin, conspiracy to supply ketamine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.

A retrial has now been set for Monday, February 24 next year.