A DRUG dealer has admitted two counts of having cocaine and heroin that he was plying to addicts in Oxford.

Jekope Tava, of Wytham View, Botley, was set to stand trial for two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Instead the 21-year old admitted both charges at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard that Tava had been caught on March 19 this year with 4.01g of cocaine as well as 1.07g of heroin.

A co-defendant, named in court as Mr Roper, has previously admitted drug dealing charges in relation to Tava and the pair are both set to be sentenced at a later date.

Tava’s defence barrister Gordana Austin appealed to the court for a pre-sentence report to consider non-custodial sentencing options despite the severity of the offence.

She said: “Mr Tava is a young man who has been aware of the consequences for his plea and he understands the credit he will receive will not be near the credit [his co-defendant] Mr Roper will get.

“But nonetheless he is still only 21 years old, he has never been in prison except his time spent on remand.

“I must accept this passes the custodial threshold but because of his age and because of his circumstances I would invite your honour to order a pre-sentence report.”

Presiding, Judge Ian Pringle QC ordered that reports are prepared ahead of his sentencing hearing and adjourned the case.

He warned Tava: "The fact I am adjourning for a report should not be taken by you as an indication as to the sentence. These are serious matters."

Tava was remanded in custody to await sentencing on September 27.