Newbury drug dealer has sentencing for four-year-old offence delayed again

A DRUG dealer’s sentencing for a four-year-old offence was delayed again on Tuesday morning, October 7.

Gary Smith had been due in the dock at Reading Crown Court to finally learn his fate.

The four-year delay had prompted a judge at a previous hearing to remark on the “extreme age” of the case.

But this time it was not the fault of the justice system.

Thirty-two-year-old Smith, of Cromwell Road, Newbury, had been caught with the Class A-controlled drug cocaine, along with a quantity of the Class B-controlled drug cannabis.

He was subsequently charged with possessing both drugs with intent to supply them on June 9, 2021.

At a prior hearing, he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply it, and to a charge of simple possession of cocaine.

But he denied the most serious charge – that of possessing cocaine with intent to supply it – and that was accepted by the crown.

At that hearing Judge Heather Norton ordered an ‘addendum’ report to update an existing probation synopsis.

But at Tuesday’s hearing Caroline Stewart, defending, said her client was sick with a stomach bug and would not be attending.

Judge Rachel Drake said: “I note he has attended each and every hearing before and that the [addendum] report says he is complying with court orders.

“I won’t require medical evidence because any meaningful chance of him getting that from the doctor in time is low.

“And all the GP is likely to do is confirm Mr Smith told him he had a stomach bug – it just wastes the NHS’ time.”

Judge Drake adjourned sentencing for a week and extended Smith’s unconditional bail.