A DRUG dealer who swallowed two wraps of heroin when he was taken into custody two years ago has not started his sentence because he wasn’t told about a court hearing.

Chad Doyle was travelling in a vehicle with two co-defendants Shiloh Newell and Daniel Thompson-Wallace in July 2022 when police stopped them at a BP garage in Tollgate West, Colchester.

Ipswich Crown Court heard on Wednesday how officers found 51 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin stored in the footwell and the console of the car.

Gazette: Stopped - police pulled the vehicle over at a BP garage near TollgateStopped - police pulled the vehicle over at a BP garage near Tollgate (Image: Google Street View)

Thompson-Wallace, who was driving the car, admitted one charge of possessing crack cocaine but said he had no knowledge of the 51 wraps of drugs stashed in the vehicle, prompting Judge Talbot-Hadley to reply: “I find that hard to believe.”

Defence barrister Simeon Wallis argued Thompson-Wallace, 26, of County Street in Southwark, had only one previous conviction and now has a secure job as an estate agent.

He said: “He has got one conviction of possession of cannabis and a bladed article when he was a youth.

“This arrest two years ago has been a bit of a wake-up call.

“He lives with his mother and is about to go in-house at a large company as an estate agent.”

Thompson-Wallace was fined £140.

Doyle, of Siward Road, Witham, was set to receive a sentence of two years and ten months for cocaine possession with intent to supply, and possession of heroin.

Gazette: Hearing - Shilow Newell and Daniel Thompson-Wallace appeared in court on Wednesday, but Doyle did not as he was not told about the hearingHearing - Shilow Newell and Daniel Thompson-Wallace appeared in court on Wednesday, but Doyle did not as he was not told about the hearing (Image: Archant)

The court heard how he hadn’t appeared at Wednesday’s hearing because he wasn’t told it was taking place.

Callum Munday, prosecuting, said: “Doyle was in possession of heroin and he swallowed two wraps in police custody.

"He has not been informed about today."

Judge Talbot-Hadley replied: “Well, he is under a warrant in any event.

“For the moment, we will leave this case outstanding.”

The charge of possession with intent to supply against Newell, 26, was dropped due to a lack of evidence and he instead faced one accusation each of possessing crack cocaine and heroin.

Newell, of Burlington Road in London, denied both charges.

He will face trial in September next year.