Three men accused of firearms offences will face a jury trial later this year
Three men accused of firearms charges face a trial later this year following their arrest in South Shields.
Dale Elliott, 28, John Nimmo, 31, and Ciaran Anderson, 22, face charges after being arrested last month.
At Newcastle Crown Court today Elliott and Nimmo appeared via video link to prison and both pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to transfer a prohibited firearm, namely a slam gun, between March 1 and April 24.
Elliott denied a further charge of possession of a prohibited firearm, in relation to the same weapon, on April 23.
The men were arrested on April 24 at a property in Osborne Avenue, off Mowbray Road, South Shields.
Anderson, from Scotland but of no fixed abode and who is on bail, was also arrested and faces a charge of conspiracy to transfer a prohibited firearm but was not required to attend the hearing.
His legal team said he would deny the charge and will face trial alongside his co-accused.
Elliott, of Osborne Avenue, South Shields, and Nimmo, also of Osborne Avenue were remanded in custody and have been told the trial will take place on October 26.
Judge Paul Sloan QC ordered a further pre-trial hearing should take place on July 24.