A WOMAN called as a witness in an armed robbery trial is in hospital - under police guard.

Eight months pregnant Georgina Agiadis is being denied visits from any member of her family, including her husband, Dean, as she lies in a side ward next to the delivery suite at South Cleveland Hospital, Middlesbrough.

The 26-year-old was first taken to Middlesbrough Police Station after being arrested under a Crown Court warrant, but then transferred to South Cleveland Hospital.

Her distraught family claim Georgina, daughter of kebab shop businessman, Nico, produced a doctor's note to the police to excuse her from appearing in the witness box.

Cleveland Police successfully applied to a judge at Teesside Crown Court for a warrant, forcing her to appear.

Anxious cousin Terry Dixon said: "How can the police have the power to deny Georgina her rights at a time like this? They are putting a court case before the life of an unborn child."

Nicola Murphy, another cousin, said: "The family are very concerned for her and her unborn baby.''

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "This woman has been arrested on a crown court warrant to attend a trial which is ongoing at Teesside Crown Court. She is a prisoner who is in hospital because of concerns she raised about her medical condition.

"While in hospital, she remains a prisoner with the same rights and entitlements as someone in police cells - and no more.

"She is under police guard in hospital and will remain there until such time as she can be produced at the crown court.''

A spokeswoman for South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We have taken advice from Cleveland Police and are continuing to work closely with them."