A FIREMAN from Blaenavon and an ex-policeman will stand trial together accused of using texting to pervert the course of justice.

Firefighter Shey Watkins, 36, of Blaenavon, is accused of a single charge of perverting the course of justice through text messaging.

Watkins allegedly sent text messages to the same police officer also with a view to influencing him unlawfully.

Byron Emerson-Thomas, 42, of Cowbridge, is also accused of trying to get an allegation against a third person dropped.

The former South Wales policeman unlawfully sought to influence a serving colleague via a series of text messages, it is alleged.

The messages were designed to influence the officer responsible for the "disposal’’ of the allegation.

Emerson-Thomas was a serving officer at the time of the allegation.

He subsequently resigned from the force earlier this year.

The charges relate to messages allegedly sent on October 11 2012.

The men appeared at a brief plea hearing at Cardiff Crown Court where each denied a single a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Both were released on unconditional bail to stand trial at the same venue on September 25.