Judge apologises after being forced to set trial date for over three years time
A judge has apologised to two defendants from Oldbury and Smethwick who have been told their trial won't be heard until 2029.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the cases of Yusuff Butt of Dog Kennel Lane, Oldbury and Mohammed Yasar of St Albans Road, Smethwick who are jointly charged with supplying Class A drugs namely cocaine and a separate charge of supplying Class B drugs namely cannabis between March 18 and October 16 this year.
Hearing the case, Recorder William Douglas-Jones said the trial would be held in the same court on February 5 2029 and said: "I know it is a long time away and I am sorry for that but nationally there is a backlog of cases and this is the first available one although we will endeavour to bring it forward if we can."
Butt, aged 48, and Yasar, aged 34 were bailed until the trial date - Butt denies both charges but Yasar admits the charge of supplying Class B drugs.
