TODAY The Chronicle can finally name six men who are awaiting sentence following a successful police operation to bust a drug dealing ring.

The trial of four of the defendants came to an end in October, but we were banned from reporting this until now.

They are: brothers Anthony Robert Stevenson, 33, and Andrew John Stevenson, 28, both of Saughall Road, Blacon, plus Vaughan William Ballantyne, 27, and Christopher Michael Jackson, 38, both of Stamford Road, Blacon.

All four were found guilty of conspiring to supply the Class A drugs crack cocaine and diamorphine (heroin) between April 1 and November 30, 1999.

Two other defendants facing the same charges admitted their part in the conspiracy before the start of the trial.

They are Stephen William Barlow, 23, formerly of Cedar Grove in Hoole and Crabwall Place, Blacon, but now of Keats Terrace, Blacon, and Stuart James McGill, 34, of Jonathan's Way, Blacon.

The trial started on September 18 before Judge Geoffrey Kilfoil at Chester Crown Court.

But two days into the case, restrictions were put in place, banning The Chronicle from reporting the trial.

An application to restrict stories appearing in the Press was made by the defence in the case.

It was agreed, because Jackson was also awaiting two other trials, the second of which concluded this week. It was felt that publicity surrounding the drugs case could prejudice a jury in the two remaining cases.

On November 12, Jackson, his brother John Jeffrey Jackson and co-accused Martin Bufton admitted their parts in a roofing scam which saw five people ­ some of them elderly ­ conned out of various amounts of money.

And on Monday, Christopher Jackson and his brother John both pleaded guilty to a charge of affray during a brief hearing at Knutsford Crown Court.

The matter had been expected to go to trial.

No details of the case were read out in court, but they are thought to relate to an incident in the centre of Chester earlier this year.

Judge Kilfoil agreed to adjourn the matter until January, when both brothers will be sentenced.

Before releasing John Jackson on conditional bail, Judge Kilfoil warned him his release did not indicate he would spared a custodial sentence.

'This does not mean you are not going to prison,' he said. 'Don't kid yourself about that.'

Christopher Jackson was remanded in custody.