251 days...and police still needed more time

The court was told the case had been going on for 251 days and the chairman of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Petty Sessional Division, Neville Cordingly, said he wished to send a message to the police that such a delay was not acceptable.

Terrence James Wells, of Sarah Street, Darwen, faced three charges of supplying cannabis, two of possessing it with intent to supply and two of possession. The magistrates had previously directed that the case should be heard at crown court.

The prosecutor requested a two-week adjournment so the police could provide further information to the Crown Prosecution Service.

But defence solicitor Kevin Preston said he was vehemently opposed to the application. He said Mr Wells had first been arrested on January 16 and had then been released on police bail to return in eight weeks. When he returned the police were still making inquiries and he was again bailed to come back in May, then June and then July.

Mr Preston said Mr Wells was eventually charged on July 11 and appeared in court on July 16.

"On that date there was a prosecution request for an adjournment and when he came back on July 30 they still weren't ready," said Mr Preston. "It is now 251 days down the line and we are no further on than we were on January 16."

He said the court protocol was an eight-week adjournment for committal proceedings, with the relevant papers served on the defence after six weeks.

"Today they are asking for a further two weeks, which would take it up to 265 days, in the hope, not the expectation, that we will be in a position to commit on that occasion," said Mr Preston.

"With respect this has gone on long enough. This is unwarranted delay. It has gone on for nine months and nothing has happened.

"The police need to wake up and do something about it," added Mr Preston.

All charges against Mr Wells were discharged but it is open to the police to summons him to re-appear at a later stage.