A FORMER soldier and a female co-defendant have appeared together in court on linked drugs and weapons charges after police swooped on a vehicle.

Max Fitter, aged 25, of Ploughmans Way, Droitwich, who was dressed smartly in a suit and tie faced a string charges when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Thursday.

He faces charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine (class A) between January 27 and April 27 in Droitwich, possession of an offensive weapon (knuckle dusters) in Wainwright Road in Worcester on April 26, possession of a controlled drug of class B in Droitwich on April 26 and possession of a lock knife in Wainwright Road, Worcester on April 26.

He denied possession of the knife and did not indicate pleas to the other charges.

We have previously reported how Mr Fitter ran a SWAT experience day at Rushock Trading Estate near Droitwich after serving as a sapper in the Royal Engineers before joining the French Foreign Legion.

Appearing alongside Fitter was Emily Cooper, aged 23, of Meadow Road, Droitwich. She did not enter pleas to any of the charges which all relate to April 26.

The charges she faces are possession of an imitation firearm (a Bruni 8mm) in Ploughmans Way in Droitwich, possession of a quantity of cocaine (class A), driving a Peugeot 206 whilst disqualified in Ploughmans Way and using a vehicle without insurance.

Giles Rowden, prosecuting, said: "This should be dealt with at the crown court. All matters are linked. In April Miss Cooper was stopped driving a vehicle by police."

Both defendants were bailed until the next hearing at Worcester Crown Court on September 28 and both have one condition of bail - not to contact each other.