Former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos arrives at court to fix cocaine trial date over claims she brokered deal for undercover reporter

In court: Tulisa Contostavlos is charged with helping an undercover reporter obtain 13.9g of cocaine

Former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos today made her first appearance at crown court accused of brokering a cocaine deal.
The N-Dubz star, of Friern Barnet, north London, is charged with helping an undercover reporter obtain 13.9g of the Class A drug for £860.
She appeared alongside rapper Mike GLC, also known as Michael Coombs, 35, of Enfield, north London, for a preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court in Central London.
Contostavlos, 25, denies being ‘concerned with the supply of 13.9 grams of cocaine’ to The Sun on Sunday's undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, known as the ‘fake sheikh’, between May 20 and May 24. Coombs denies a charge of supplying the drug on May 23.

She was told her trial is expected to take place on July 14 -  the day after her 26th birthday.
Dressed in a black jacket and skirt, she appeared alongside Coombs for a 10-minute preliminary hearing. The pair spoke only to confirm their names and say they understood the current timetable. There will also be a case management hearing on March 27.
Contostavlos allegedly set up the transaction after telling Mr Mahmood she could help provide him with ‘white sweets’, which is claimed to have been code for cocaine.
She is accused of playing a ‘significant role’ of putting the fake sheikh in touch with Coombs before the pair met at the upmarket Dorchester Hotel in Central London.

The Sun on Sunday recorded the meeting in which Coombs is said to have handed over half an ounce of cocaine.
Contostavlos was initially arrested in connection with the incident with Coombs on June 4.

Appearance: Former X Factor judge Contostavlos denies being 'concerned with the supply of 13.9 grams of cocaine' to The Sun on Sunday's undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, known as the 'fake sheikh'

Denies charge: Contostavlos allegedly set up the transaction after telling Mr Mahmood she could help provide him with ‘white sweets’, which is claimed to have been code for cocaine

Arrival: Contostavlos, 25, walks into the entrance of Southwark Crown Court in Central London

She was officially dropped as a judge on the ITV talent show X Factor days before her arrest, with Sharon Osbourne returning to the show in her place.

'Tulisa is not guilty of this, or any other offence, and is looking forward to giving her account to a jury'
Tulisa Contostavlos's solicitor

Judge Alistair McCreath gave Contostavlos and Coombs the timetable for the case and renewed their unconditional bail. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
After the hearing, a man thought to be Contostavlos's solicitor read a statement to reporters, which said: ‘Today Tulisa appeared at Southwark Crown Court in connection with a serious allegation that she has been concerned in the supply of drugs.
‘Tulisa is not guilty of this, or any other offence, and is looking forward to giving her account to a jury. That trial will reveal the full extent of the role played by Mazher Mahmood and the Sunday Sun.’

Outside court: A man thought to be Contostavlos's solicitor reads a statement to reporters (left). Mike GLC leaves court (right). The rapper, whose real name is Michael Coombs, 35, denies a charge of supplying the drug

Outside: Members of the media await the arrival of Contostavlos at Southwark Crown Court in Central London

Portraits: Contostavlos on holiday in Dubai last October (left), and in an X Factor publicity shot last July (right)

Face on TV: Contostavlos on X Factor. She was officially dropped as a judge days before her arrest