Trial date set for Stobart hijack
Page 9

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Five men accused of kidnapping an Eddie Stobart driver and stealing his 175,000 load of alcopops will stand trial at Leicester Crown Court next year Last May, sleeping Stobart driver Malcolm Simmons was taken along with his vehicle f•om a lay-by on the A444 In Leicestershire. He was durmul by the roadside in Staffordshire while the Beiglat -registered truck was found burnt out in Kendall—minus its load.
Last week the gang accused of the theft appeared at Leicester Crown Court. Geoffrey Royal, who gave no address, Stephen Catterall, from Newchurch, and Mark Norris, from Bolton, all denied charges of false imprisonment and kidnap, David Norris and David Young. both from Bolton. both denied charges of handling stolen goods.
The trial will start on 3 February 2003.
• After the vehicle was taken, police appealed to the legions of Eddie Stobart spotters to help them track the vehicle's journey (CM 23-29 May).