A PUB boss and building company director has been found guilty of conspiring to deal cocaine.

Ryan Davies, of Kelburne Road, Cowley, held his head in his hands and broke down in tears yesterday as the jury’s verdict was read out.

The 33-year-old, who runs the Black Swan pub in East Oxford, denied any involvement in a plot to supply the Class A drug between August 15 and October 12 last year.

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But the jury at Oxford Crown Court reached a unanimous verdict after a trial lasting almost two weeks.

In what Judge Ian Pringle called an “unusual” decision, he released Davies on bail after his father agreed to stand surety in the sum of £250,000.

Lewis Power QC, defending, said: “The defendant has been advised that he will be receiving a substantial custodial sentence. I’m appealing in exceptional circumstances on compassionate grounds for bail today.

“Put simply, if Mr Davies is not around to organise his business affairs over the next month or so things will fall apart for a lot of people.”

He will be sentenced after his alleged co-conspirators have had their hearings.

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