A DRUG dealer has been given a second chance by a judge after being wrongly accused of murder.

Bradley Morton, 19, was caught on October 9 last year with crack cocaine and diamorphine near Ladygrove in Didcot, only four months after being acquitted of murder.

The teen, along with two others, had been accused of murdering Alex Innes, 25, in November 2022 and stood trial at Oxford Crown Court in June last year.

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However, Morton was acquitted of the charge by a jury who instead found Greg Muinami, 18, guilty of the murder alone. He was jailed for life in September 2023.

Morton, of Cumberlege Close, Oxford, was then caught and charged with two counts of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply several weeks later.

Judge Ian Pringle decided to defer his sentence to give him a chance to prove he could find work and change his life following the difficulty of the trial and being in custody.

On Friday (May 2), he handed Morton a two years prison sentence, suspended for two years.

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Speaking to Morton’s defence barrister, George Josef, at a deferred sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday (May 2), Judge Pringle said: “I took an unusual course and deferred sentence.

"Part of the reason it did so was because your client is still 19. He’s young, and I know he’s gone through quite a lot in the last year or two because I had something to do with that.

“He was in custody and found not guilty so I thought I would give him a chance.”

The court heard that Morton was caught after officers approached an Audi vehicle in Didcot after recognising one of the males in the car.

After identifying themselves as police officers, Morton attempted to run from them but he was quickly stopped and searched.

He was found with a mobile phone and cash while another male was caught with 65g of crack cocaine and 24g of diamorphine.

Defending Morton, Mr Josef said the teen had managed to find work and was also training to be a barber.

He added that he has been volunteering at a local football club and is due to become a father later this year.

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Sentencing, Judge Pringle said: “I gave you a chance and you took it. You’re perfectly capable of working hard, teaching yourself and getting better and better.

“Your life is going to change hugely in a few weeks as you’re going to be a father.”

Morton was also ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity days.