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AWOL soldier imported 14 kilos of cannabis to Island

29-year-old appears in court again

A serving soldier who went AWOL from the British Army has admitted importing more than 14 kilograms of cannabis to the Isle of Man.

Jordan Ashley Brayford, from Bentilee in Stoke on Trent, appeared at Douglas Courthouse again today (2 February).

The 29-year-old entered guilty pleas to producing the Class B drug, and possessing the substance with intent to supply, at the Sea Terminal on 27 January.

The court was told the cannabis has an estimated street value of more than £284,000.

Brayford was arrested by police on Monday at the Ramsey Park Hotel after reports that he had been missing from His Majesty’s Armed Forces since 2 January.

The following day he appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse where he admitted being absent without leave from the 25 Training Regiment Royal Logistics Corp.

Military police had been due to travel to collect him and return him to the Normandy Barracks in East Yorkshire but the court was told today they hadn’t travelled to the Island.

The prosecutor told Magistrates the situation had now changed with Brayford facing ‘more serious matters than simply being AWOL from the British Army’.

A social enquiry report has been requested before Brayford, who appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit, is sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

There was no application for bail and he was further remanded until his next court appearance on 17 March. 

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