Nottingham Crown Court was told how Hardy –– who is a former pub bouncer and football club chairman –– became a director of Teversal haulage firm A.R. Parker Transport and the East Midlands Truck and Van Centre repair company.

Hardy became involved in the companies after he entered into a business agreement with Pleasley man Andrew Parker.

The hearing had previously been told how Hardy would get involved in a business before threatening staff members to handle drugs money or become involved in his drugs gang.

Trevor Burke told the jury how Hardy was a good businessman who had used his excellent credit rating to help the firm thrive.

"Gary Hardy bankrolled the firms and used his ability to get credit to inject large sums of cash," he said. "He arranged for vehicles to be bought which Mr Parker could not afford to do.

"He invested £10,000 to the purchase of a new lorry engine. He also gave Parker free use of a £30,000 BMW before getting him a Mercedes using his credit. Mr Hardy also used one of his properties as security for business finances.

"There was no agreement for him to do actual work. He was simply the financial backer in a mutually beneficial arrangement.

"Mr Hardy then paid for the Mercedes and a salary as and when money became available. If Mr Parker could not pay each month he was not placed under pressure or threatened by Mr Hardy."

The businesses eventually went bust in 2007 after rising fuel and repair bills forced them into liquidation.

Gary Hardy, of The Copse, Mansfield, and his brother Paul Hardy (47), of Kirkby, deny one charge of conspiracy to supply heroin, one charge of conspiracy to supply cocaine, one charge of conspiracy to supply amphetamines and four counts of conspiracy to supply cannabis between 1st January 2000 and 5th January 2007.

The brothers' mum June Muers (66), formerly of Pearl Avenue, Kirkby, also denies one charge of conspiracy to supply amphetamines and two charges of conspiracy to supply cannabis between 1st January 2003 and 5th January 2007.

Both Gary Hardy and Clipstone man Carl Busby (45), of Forest Road, also deny money laundering charges between 1st April 2003 and 4th January 2007.

Gary Hardy also denies a separate charge of having £14,000-worth of cash gained through criminal activities in his possession on 23rd May 2003.

Gary and Paul Hardy, of Willow Avenue, Kirkby, along with Muers, all deny a further charge of possessing criminal property on 4th January 2007.

Kirkby woman Zoe Chapman, of Willow Avenue –– Paul Hardy's partner –– also faces three charges of conspiracy to supply amphetamines and cannabis between 1st January 2000 and 5th January 2007.

Proceeding