Constabulary responds to criticism
DETECTIVE Chief Superintendent Aaron Duggan said: “We try to avoid delays in the criminal justice system and continually look at how we can improve and streamline our investigations both for the victims who want to see justice, and the defendants.
“I have asked that this case be reviewed and any organisational learning captured to prevent unnecessary delays in the future.
“On this occasion there were a number factors which came into play, some of which were beyond our control.
“The defendant was arrested following a proactive stop, he was searched and items recovered, he did not make any admissions during his interview and a full investigation was launched to obtain evidence for the CPS to review.
“As part of the investigation a mobile phone and a quantity of drugs had to be examined.
“At the time there was a delay in getting the mobile phone analysed due to demand, an administrative error further impacted on the length of time it took for us to obtain the contents of the mobile phone.
“This impacted on when we could submit the drugs for evidential analysis. We have since increased resources in the digital forensics team and work is ongoing to speed up the examination of mobile phones. There was a further delay in getting the drugs analysed, which was a national issue at the time due to one of the forensic providers being ‘off line’.
“However once all the evidence was submitted, a charge was authorised by CPS and the defendant was summonsed to appear in court on September 3; it is noted that he failed to appear on that date.
“Following his failure to
● appear at court he was swiftly located and arrested and put back before the courts, he was subsequently bailed to appear over a month later to be sentenced.
“It is regrettable that there was a delay in this case, our message however is that if you deal drugs in Cheshire, there is a good chance that you will be arrested, you will be charged and brought before the courts.”