Rotherham man in drug-pushing case challenges convictions

A MAN serving eight years behind bars after being found guilty of supplying cutting agents to a Kent drugs gang, has won the first stage of an Appeal Court bid to clear his name.

Omar Sadique was arrested after detectives smashed a drug supply organisation near Sittingbourne.

He was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court in February of assisting in the supply of class A and B drugs and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

But the 30-year-old, of Regent Street, Kimberworth, was given the go-ahead for a full appeal hearing, after his lawyers argued his convictions were “unsafe”.

The prosecution case at trial was that Sadique, through a business he owned and ran, sold chemicals to the Kent gang which were then used as cutting agents to 'bulk out' illicit drugs.

Sadique denied any wrongdoing, but was found guilty of the offences following a five-week trial with a number of other defendants.

His lawyers now argue his convictions should be overturned by the Appeal Court, because of legal issues relating to the validity of the charges that were brought against him.

Saying that careful consideration needed to be given to the case, Lord Justice Laws ordered there should be a day-long hearing of Sadique’s case — before three senior judges — at an unspecified later date.