A 59-YEAR-OLD man due to appear in court accused of possessing drugs with intent to supply failed to appear after allegedly taking a suspected drugs overdose.
Anthony Ford, of Peel Street, Padiham, was due to appear at Burnley Crown Court this morning to enter pleas to charges of possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing Diazepam with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between July 14, 2016, and September 26, 2016, in Padiham and Preston.
Defending, Philip Holden said: "Mr Ford should have been here for pleas to be taken. He has taken an overdose and has been taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital. As a result he is not going to be here today.
"I don't have any more information other than the fact I have been told by the Crown Prosecution Service representative that he was able to walk to the ambulance and the police were in attendance."
The case was adjourned until January 5 when Ford will be arraigned on the drugs charges. Judge Jonathan Gibson told Mr Holden that his client will have to provide medical evidence on that day.
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