A man left drug rehab in order to sort out a debt he owed for a couple of dogs, a court heard.

Kai Sawyer, 26, was described as having been lucky to have received the lengthy community order, which gave him the opportunity to go to drug rehab.

But he left the facility six weeks into the 12 week course, Oxford Crown Court heard on Tuesday (September 26).

Defending, Peter du Feu said his client owed a debt of ‘something like £12,000’ for two ‘valuable dogs’, although the breed was not given in open court.

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“He left the residential rehabilitation to sort that out,” the advocate added.

Sawyer subsequently appeared before Judge Ian Pringle KC for breaching his community order by leaving the rehab, but was given a second chance.

On Tuesday, he was back in front of the crown court accused of a second breach of the order. It is said he missed probation appointments over the summer.

The defendant was not asked to enter his pleas to the alleged breach of the community order.

Record John Bate-Williams adjourned the case until October 23, when the matter will be heard by Judge Pringle. Sawyer was remanded into custody.

No probation officer was in court to prosecute the breach on Tuesday. Mr du Feu told the judge: “They haven’t been able to be contacted and there is nobody in the office.”

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