FORMER Darlington Football Club owner George Reynolds left his hospital bed yesterday to keep a date in court.

Less than 24 hours after an emergency operation to remove kidney stones, Mr Reynolds was facing Bishop Auckland magistrates in an attempt to recoup money seized by police from his Durham apartment three weeks ago.

Although the case was adjourned, Mr Reynolds said he had been determined to be there in person.

Mr Reynolds said: "I told the doctors I had to be in court. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

"I am fine now. I have to go back to the hospital in another three months."

Mr Reynolds, 68, was driven to the University Hospital in North Durham, close to his home in Crossgate Mews, Durham City, by his daughter, Katherine, on Friday night. He had begun to feel unwell in the middle of last week.

The court was due to hear an application by Detective Sergeant Martin Fleming, of the Regional Asset Recovery Team, to continue to hold £6,729.36 in cash and 7,170 euros, held by police under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Magistrates agreed to extend a holding order until after Mr Reynolds' next appearance, which will be before a district judge on December 23.

Mr Reynolds has been charged with money laundering offences in relation to £500,000 recovered from his car earlier this year.

His barrister, Jamie Hill, said: "He feels very strongly that he is the subject of a witch hunt.

"He feels that the police are knocking on his door every five minutes and confiscating everything but the change in his pocket."