Warrants have been issued for the arrest of two people who failed to appear in court on charges involving a teenager who died of a drugs overdose.

Lisa Brown, 26, and Mark Anthony Gibben, 31, both of Middlesbrough, are charged alongside Anthony Ernest McMaster with supplying 17-year-old Lilli Brown with heroin on January 2.

Mr Gibben told his solicitor he was not going to court because he feared for his safety, Teesside Magistrates' Court was told.

District Judge James Prowse issued warrants for them to appear in court on April 5 when the case will be heard next.

Yesterday, Mr McMaster, of Stockton, Teesside, appeared in court and was granted bail until April 5.

Judge Prowse consented to a plea by defence solicitors for the trio's addresses not be read out in open court.

Mr McMaster, Mr Gibben and Ms Brown are all charged with being in possession of heroin.

As relatives of Lilli left the public gallery, Mr McMaster was ushered out of an exit door on the opposite side of the court, reserved for magistrates.

Lilli was found dead at a house in Northport Road, Portrack, Stockton, from a suspected overdose of heroin.

She had earlier been to a friend's New Year party.

Lilli, who lived with her mother and stepfather in Radcliffe Avenue, Roseworth, Stockton, was a star pupil at Blakeston School, Stockton, where she achieved ten GCSEs and represented her town in sports.