A major drugs trial has been further delayed because the main prosecution witness broke a tooth eating his dinner.

Gary Padgett, a self-confessed drugs courier, was due to continue giving evidence at Bradford Crown Court yesterday but Judge Peter Benson was forced to send the jury home for the day.

Padgett claims he acted as a courier for 46-year-old Nigel Sharp and Dale Hooson, 40, and collected large quantities of drugs from Liverpool.

He then alleges that he passed on drugs to men in Halifax as well as to 36-year-old Stephen Kelsall, who had travelled up from Staffordshire to meet him. Sharp, of Common Road, Upper Edge, Elland; Hooson, of Old Lane, Boothtown, Halifax; David Nicholson, 35, of Breck Lea, Sowerby Bridge; his cousin Andrew Nicholson, 33, of Hollins Lane, Mixenden; and Alan Wilby, 31, of Castle Avenue, Raistrick, have all denied two charges of conspiracy to supply drugs.

Paul Haukerdahl, 36, of Altmorr Road, Huyton, Liverpool, and John McGinn, 41, of Princess Drive, Huyton, have also pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charges and further allegations that they made threats to kill Padgett and his partner.

Kelsall, of Peel Street, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, has also denied the conspiracy charges.

Padgett began giving his evidence on Monday, but after a member of the jury fell ill the trial was put on hold until yesterday.

The sick juror was able to resume her duties, but when the jury were called into court Judge Benson told them: "Unfortunately, Mr Padgett last night while eating a meal broke a tooth. And he's done it, I'm told, badly in the sense that it's come out right down to the root."

He revealed that Padgett had taken painkillers, but had not had much sleep and efforts were being made to organise emergency dental treatment for him.

Judge Benson said: "We seem to be fated this week, but these things occur from time to time."

It was hoped that if Padgett was able to be treated by a dentist he could resume his evidence today.