An Ipswich judge has criticised "avoidable delays" after the sentencing of a pair of drug dealers had to be postponed due to no prosecution.

Annie Macrae, 30, and Karl Rusdell, 34, were before Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing in relation to charges of dealing class A drugs between 2021 and 2022.

Due to no available prosecutor, the hearing could not go ahead.

Judge Martyn Levett said it said it was not acceptable as the case has now been delayed for three years.

Both defendants have pleaded guilty to the charges.  

The starting point for the sentence would be six years in custody as both are accused of having a significant role in street level drug offences.

“There is a lot of misery caused by supplying Class A drugs. It’s become a vogue thing to take at weekends and it’s something the courts are very much alive to,” Judge Levett said.

The sentencing of both defendants will now take place on January 30, 2025.

Judge Levett said this “avoidable delay” would have an impact on the sentence.

He added: “It’s not acceptable for this case to keep adjourning.

“I’m surprised there is no one to prosecute this relatively simple case.”

He also highlighted that the prosecution service had listed multiple charges that could be covered by a single charge and told the court that “simplicity is the handmaiden of justice”.