In summing up at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, prosecutor Richard Latham said it must consider that each witness had been kept separate during interviews –– so that their evidence did not contaminate each other's –– and that all events must be thought of in relation to other incidents and not in isolation.

"The witnesses have given us a valuable insight into the world of wholesale drug sales and this is not fiction –– it really happened," he said.

He went on to ask why the witnesses would lie in this case because, by coming forward, he said they have exposed themselves to convictions of drug offences –– while some have been subject to witness protection programmes.

The jury was asked to consider whether Gary Hardy sold drugs to supplement his legitimate businesses, specifically several properties in the Ashfield area –– all with mortgages on them.

Mr Latham also said that as Carl Busby handled the money for the businesses, if the jury acquitted Hardy it must also clear Busby.

He then moved on to Gary Hardy's brother Paul Hardy –– who it is alleged was not involved in any of Gary Hardy's legitimate businesses –– but was said to be having trouble doing his work because of his crack cocaine addiction, namely selling drugs for Gary Hardy.

Finally, the jury was told that the two female defendants –– Hardy's mother June Muer and Paul Hardy's partner Zoe Chapman, along with Paul Hardy himself –– had not given evidence in court because their answers might not have stood up to cross examination.

THE CHARGES
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.