A 33-year-old Tidenham man accused of possessing cocaine with intent to supply is claiming that he was a victim of modern slavery, a judge was told.

At Gloucester Crown Court, sitting in Cirencester, David Graham of Deepwell Rise, Tidenham, pleaded not guilty to possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply at Sedbury on July 7 last year.

The judge, Recorder Malcolm Gibney, said he understood that a defence of modern slavery was being advanced.

Defence advocate Jason Coulter said: “I did not put that defence forward remotely lightly,” he said. “I have researched it and spent some time with Mr Graham.

“I have seen documentary evidence and the local police are taking what he says very seriously. 

“They are trying to rehouse and relocate him and his family.”

Mr Coulter said the details of Mr Graham’s defence would be fully laid out in due course in a case statement which will be supplied to the court ahead of trial.

The judge bailed Mr Graham unconditionally to stand jury trial starting on August 31.