A BRIDE-TO-BE wept in the dock at York Crown Court as her future husband was led off to jail.

Lisa North and Mark Anthony Ellerby, both 26, were to be married at April 22 and then go on honeymoon to Spain, the court heard.

Today, Ellerby was behind bars with his brother Richard, 24, and Mark Ian Towers, 26, awaiting sentence. A judge will decide later if North will also go to prison.

All four pleaded guilty to conspiring together to steal machinery, tools and other property in various parts of North Yorkshire between February 3, 2000, and July 19, 2001.

They each admitted different lengths and details of their involvement in the conspiracy.

But prosecution counsel Andrew Dallas alleged North had only admitted part of her role and her case was adjourned to a Newton hearing, before a judge without a jury. Sentence on the three men was adjourned until after her trial.

Taryn Turner, for bridegroom Mark Ellerby, pleaded for him not to be remanded in prison so that he could marry North on April 22 and go on the nine-day Spanish honeymoon with her in May. She said he had never been jailed before and had family medical problems.

Judge Paul Hoffman refused bail on the grounds that Ellerby, of Byland Avenue, York, had admitted a "very large number of matters". But as an "act of mercy" the judge gave bail to North, also of Byland Avenue, though he warned her that she was in a difficult position and should not make it worse by committing more crimes.

He warned the Ellerby brothers they should expect jail terms.

Richard Ellerby, of Burton Stone Lane, Clifton, was refused bail. Towers is currently serving three- and-a-half years for heroin dealing.

Updated: 10:53 Tuesday, April 09, 2002