A cannabis dealer is accused of breaching a suspended sentence within months of its imposition.

Kosma Klapa, 25, received the seven month suspended sentence in February for possession of the class B drug with intent to supply it.

Oxford Crown Court heard that he failed to return to court in April, when he was due to answer an allegation he had breached the suspended sentence order.

He was subsequently arrested and appeared before a court in Teesside in July.

On Wednesday, a probation officer said he assumed that Klapa – who claimed not to have been told of yesterday’s court hearing – would have been told of the date when the case was adjourned last month.

Asked by Judge Nigel Daly whether he was told of the new date when he appeared before Teesside Crown Court, Klapa said through an interpreter: “Four weeks ago, I was told that my case was listed on Monday, so that would be after five days at that time but no one told me at the time.”

He said he had not received ‘any paperwork’ about the alleged breach of the order.

Judge Daly allowed Klapa legal aid so he could pay for a lawyer for the next hearing. “You are going to have to get yourself a solicitor or counsel to represent you at the breach hearing.”

The case was adjourned until September 21.

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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

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