Ex-Everton player on drugs charge

Former Everton and West Ham midfielder, Mark Ward, appeared in court on Saturday charged with drug offences, involving cocaine and crack cocaine.

Mr Ward was arrested by drugs squad officers following a raid on a house in Prescot, Merseyside, on Thursday.

Detectives discovered cocaine and crack cocaine at the house with an estimated street value of about £2.5m.

The 42-year old was taken to a police station where he was questioned by police throughout Thursday.

He was charged with multiple drugs offences on Friday afternoon.

He appeared before St Helens Magistrates' Court on Saturday to face charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, and being concerned in the production of crack cocaine.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said police executed a search warrant at the property under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Thursday morning.

Several kilograms of Class A drugs were discovered together with a variety of drugs paraphernalia.

The police spokeswoman added: "Mark Ward, of McVinnie Road, Prescot, has been charged with three drug offences.

"He appeared before St Helens magistrates this morning and is due to appear before Knowsley magistrates on May 19."