AN alleged County Lines drug courier has appeared at Exeter Crown Court accused of transporting almost half a kilo of cocaine to Newton Abbot.

James Matthews, aged 57, of Irwell Close, Sefton, Liverpool, was not asked to enter a plea because he was unrepresented as a result of industrial action being taken by criminal barristers.

Matthews is accused of possession of 496 grams of cocaine with intent to supply after a car which he was allegedly driving was searched by police after being seized in Newton Abbot earlier this year.

The drugs were allegedly hidden in the engine compartment of the car.

Matthews indicated a not guilty plea when he appeared before South Devon magistrates last month and Judge Timothy Rose set a timetable leading up to a trial at Exeter next year.

He will be expected to be arraigned when his case returns to Exeter Crown Court on November 2.

He was not represented because one part of the action being taken by the Criminal Bar Association is a block on accepting new legal aid cases.

They are planning an all-out strike from the start of next week in which they will not appear in any legally aided cases.

Judge Rose released Matthews on bail and told him he hoped the dispute will be resolved before his next hearing.