Oxford News
Oxford – Former stab victim jailed for drug dealing in Blackbird Leys
Michael Walker, of Coriander Way, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on July 6.
The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, namely heroin and crack cocaine, after he was caught in Oxford on May 5 this year.
The court heard that Walker was the victim of a stabbing in August last year which resulted in Jaydon Jones being jailed for three years.
John Coates, prosecuting, told the court that Walker had been seen by police officers in Blackbird Leys, carrying out drug exchanges with people on bikes.
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Officers attended and a short chase ended in Walker being caught and arrested.
However he was seen to discard a Nokia burner phone. Walker was searched and 39 wraps of crack cocaine and seven of heroin were found on him.
He also had £320.21 in cash. The court heard that the drugs had a street value of £600. The Nokia phone was found to be a drugs line.
There were bulk messages found saying ‘active’ and messages received, requesting drugs.
Walker’s address was searched, and police found scales used in drug dealing.
Mr Coates told the court that Walker had a previous conviction for possession with intent to supply a class B drug from 2022. He was given a community order for that last year, which was breached in the commission of the new offences.
Mr Coates said: “He had a significant role and there was an expectation of significant financial gain. This was selling directly to users.”
The court heard that Walker had been in custody since his arrest.
Peter Du Feu, mitigating, mentioned to the court that Walker had been ‘very seriously attacked’. This was a reference to the stabbing in August.
Mr Du Feu added: “He’s spent the last two months in custody. He got put to work due to a debt unrelated to drugs.
“He has to take responsibility for drug dealing which he has a previous conviction for.
“He’s a very intelligent young man. He’s still young. He’s by and large managed to stay out of trouble.
“His plans for the future are to get his basic English and maths. He wants a place in college so he can start a dog grooming business.
“There are positive signs for the future.”
Judge Maria Lamb said: “The court deals with drug dealing offences very seriously. The message is clear that class A drug dealing is a pernicious evil and it impacts so many families.”
Walker was jailed for a total of 30 months. Orders were also made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs, cash, phone and scales.
Dean, whose surname has not been released by Thames Valley Police, was last seen in the Cowley area of the city on Wednesday (July 1).
He is now believed to be in the central Oxford area, according to officers working the case.
READ MORE: Police ‘concerned’ as 14-year-old Oxfordshire schoolgirl disappears
The 38-year-old is described as a white male, 5’9″ of stocky build with brown hair. Dean has tattoos on his neck.
An appeal was released to the public from Thames Valley Police on Friday afternoon (July 10), including a photograph of the missing man.
The accompanying statement said: “Have you seen Dean?
“We are concerned for the well-being of Dean, so if you have any relevant information or have seen him, please call us on 101, referencing 43260342263.”
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is the UK’s largest space cluster, and the gateway will be a dedicated hub for the space and defence sectors, driving national and global collaboration between government, the academic world, and industry.
It will focus on linking innovation to investment, building partnerships to shape tomorrow’s space and defence economy, and helping businesses to sustainably start and grow in the UK.
READ MORE: The King visits Oxford University college
The gateway will be based in a new co-working and events space at the heart of the Harwell Space Cluster.
Following the launch, King Charles said to staff based at the campus: “I congratulate you for all your efforts and look forward to seeing all the developments that take place here over the years.”
Among the guests at the campus for the launch was British astronaut Tim Peake, who has visited the International Space Station.
For more than 60 years RAL (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) Space has provided the specialist expertise that underpins space applications around the world, including earth observation work that supports action on climate change, biodiversity loss, and resilience to environmental change.
It has contributed to more than 200 instruments in space and has played a key role in establishing the UK as a competitive force in the global space economy.
Space minister Liz Lloyd, who attended the visit, said: “The opening of the Space and Defence Gateway is a significant moment for the UK’s space sector, and His Majesty The King’s visit to Harwell underlines the vital contribution this cluster makes to our economy.”
RAL Space is one of the anchor organisations of the Harwell Space Cluster and a cornerstone of the UK’s space sector.
The cluster is Europe’s largest concentration of space organisations, supporting more than 120 public and private organisations, alongside more than 330 defence and security organisations.
Dr Barbara Ghinelli, director of Innovation Clusters and Harwell Campus, said: “I look forward to working alongside our partners in the gateway across the UK and internationally to help our businesses thrive while making a real difference to the world.”
Earlier in the day, the King was in Oxford, visiting the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, and Oriel College, which is celebrating its 700th anniversary.
Alisha, whose surname has not been released by Thames Valley Police, was last seen on Monday (July 6) travelling to Banbury.
Police believe that the 14-year-old missing girl may be using the train line.
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Alisha is a black female of slim build, approximately 5ft tall, with long black braided hair.
She was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved crop top, black cycling shorts, white socks, and black Crocs.
An appeal from Thames Valley Police this afternoon (Friday, July 10) said: “Have you seen Alisha, age 14, missing from Chinnor?”
“We are concerned for the well-being of Alisha, so if you have any relevant information or have seen her, please call us on 101, referencing 43260343674.”
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