TWO men and a youth have admitted two drugs conspiracies in Hereford.

They all admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in the city when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court today (Monday).

Joshua Cureton, 28, of Sandys Close, Hereford, appeared over videolink from HMP Hewell, while his co-defendant, a 17-year-old female, appeared in the dock. Both were formally arraigned by the clerk and admitted conspiracy to supply both class A drugs between June 8 and June 11 this year.

Both denied acquiring, using or possessing criminal property on June 11 this year, a charge that will be permitted to lie on file.

Because of social distancing and tension between Cureton and the third co-defendant, Devonn Weston, he appeared separately but also over videolink from HMP Hewell.

The 21-year-old of no fixed address also admitted both drugs conspiracies, but denied acquiring, using or possessing criminal property known or suspected to represent the proceeds of criminal conduct on June 11 this year.

Mark Thompson, for Cureton, said his client was not heavily convicted at all and had "significant mental health difficulties".

The barrister requested a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report on behalf of his client which he said could have an impact on the sentence Cureton would ultimately receive.

He added: "The application for a psychiatric report is born out of long-standing mental health problems."

The court heard how the case involved cuckooing, which is where out-of-town dealers set up shop in the home of vulnerable people, often drugs addicts.

A pre-sentence report was also requested on behalf of the youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. No such request was made on behalf of Weston.

Judge Nicholas Cole adjourned sentence for all three defendants until September 11 this year, allowing time for the various reports to be prepared.

He warned that his decision to adjourn and order reports was not a promise as to what the eventual sentence would be, and he told Cureton and the youth "custody may well be inevitable".

Indeed, he said, custody was "overwhelmingly likely" for them following such a conspiracy.

He told Weston, who has a previous conviction for possession of drugs with intent to supply, that "custody is inevitable".

Weston and Cureton were remanded in custody. The youth was bailed to attend the next hearing.