A MAN and a woman have denied an allegation that they illegally produced cannabis at a property in Stanwix in Carlisle.

At the city’s Crown Court, Lucie Park, 46, and Mohammed Ali, 41, both formally entered not guilty pleas to the allegation which prosecutors say arose from events on February 5 last year in Roseberry Road, Stanwix.

The two defendants have also denied possessing the Class B drug with intent to supply it to another. Park pleaded not guilty to a third allegation that she allowed her premises to be used to produce cannabis.

After legal discussions between defence and prosecution barristers, a judge ruled that the trial – expected to last two to three days – should get underway on September 32.

Ali, of Etterby Road, Carlisle, and Park, were both granted bail until the day of their next court appearance.

At an earlier hearing, a third defendant, a man, entered a guilty plea to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and producing the drug. He will be sentenced at the conclusion of the cases of Ali and Park.