FOUR men facing kidnap and false imprisonment charges will return to court in March after their trial was adjourned.

The quartet, who include heavyweight boxer Christopher Michael Burton, known as ‘Hightower’, were due to go on trial at Teesside Crown Court.

But after a prosecution witness failed to appear, the case was adjourned until March 16.

Mr Burton, 33, of Brierton Lane, Hartlepool, Jonathan Lockey, 25, of Bullamore Road, Northallerton, Damian Ainsley, 29, of Tees Way, Neasham, Darlington, along with a fourth man who is in custody, Anthony Cooper, 29, of Bamburgh Place, Darlington, all deny kidnap and false imprisonment on July 23 this year.

The defendant Cooper admits a separate charge of producing a class B drug on July 26.