A dealer who was accused of selling drugs alongside killer Lewis Brown has been given a deferred sentence.

Rhys Chapman, 19, had already pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine at an earlier hearing when his case came before Oxford Crown Court for sentence late last week.

It followed the discovery by police of drugs in a container hidden in the communal garden of flats where Brown and another man were allegedly arrested.

READ MORE: Lewis Brown jailed for manslaughter

Prosecutors claimed he was dealing heroin and crack cocaine alongside 21-year-old Brown between March 28 and April 18, 2020.

The judge gave Chapman, of Plowman Tower, Marston, a six month deferred sentence. The terms of that deferred sentence mean he must stay out of trouble, ‘make serious attempts to find employment’ and complete outstanding unpaid work with the probation service.

His former co-defendant, Brown, pleaded not guilty to the drug dealing allegation following his conviction in May for the one-stab manslaughter of Lee Butler, a customer of his ‘Bob’ drugs line, in a Barton Park last October. Prosecutors did not pursue a trial against Brown, who is currently serving a 10-and-a-half year sentence.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward