Drug dealer barred from Portsmouth Crown Court after meeting care worker with Covid-19 at party

Jack Darcy, 28, had admitted being concerned in supplying cannabis, and possession of criminal property - £5,000 in cash. He was due to find out his fate today.

But when he arrived at Portsmouth Crown Court he was not allowed in the building, having explained he met a care worker at a party around 10 days ago who later tested positive for Covid-19.

Judge Timothy Mousley QC revealed Darcy’s actions at the start of what was due to be his sentencing hearing this morning.

‘As a result of his saying that, he’s not allowed into the building so we can’t make a great deal of progress today,’ the judge told the court.

Judge Mousley said if Darcy ‘got the virus 10 days ago or thereabouts then he would have self-isolated for 14 days, and added: ‘I’m going to relist the case for a few days’ time.’

A probation officer, and prosecution and defence barristers were attending remotely via Skype. The judge and court staff were in the courtroom.

Judge Mousley ordered Darcy to apply for a Covid-19 test by midday tomorrow, and then inform his solicitors of the result and ‘provide proof by noon on June 23’.

The judge made this a condition of Darcy’s current bail.

Darcy, of Langstone Road, Milton, travelled to the court building in Winston Churchill Avenue today.

His defence barrister, Russell Pyne, had spoken to him on the phone ahead of the hearing. Darcy had not told him about the party.

It’s not clear if the party he attended breached lockdown rules.

Darcy pleaded guilty on March 9 this year.

Since Saturday single adult households can form a bubble with another household.

Government advice remains that anyone who has had contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19 must remain at home.

Advice says: ‘If you or a member of your support bubble is contacted as part of the test and trace programme, the individual contacted must stay at home.

‘If the individual becomes symptomatic, everyone in the support bubble must then isolate. This is critical.’

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