A JUDGE has complained that suspected drugs dealer who has gone on the run was released by police.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said the man should have been charged and placed before the court in custody.

But he was not even bailed with conditions. He was simply released pending investigation and later sent a letter asking him to attend court.

Judge Rowlands, sitting at Mold Crown Court, said “surprise, surprise” defendant Kai Kennedy, 20, at the time of Brewster Street in Manchester, had failed to attend at the magistrates court and a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

The judge asked for a written explanation within 14 days and said what had occurred was “very concerning”.

There appeared to have been a sea change in attitude, he said.

“I don’t understand it. I expect the people of North Wales will not understand it either,” he said.

“I want a full explanation from North Wales Police. This is very, very worrying from where I am sitting.”

If he and two others arrested at the same time had been charged and placed before the court, then they would never have been bailed, he said.

The judge told two co-defendants who attended the plea hearing that he would bail them again because his hands were tied.

Nathan Edwards, 27, of Light Bound Road, Moston, Manchester and Darren Hunt, 29, of St Patrick’s Road North, Lytham St Anne’s, Lancashire, denied conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine on March 17 last year.

Their trial was fixed for July and they were rebailed on condition of residence and told not to enter North Wales.

It is alleged that 51 wraps of crack cocaine and 36 wraps of heroin were found in a car travelling into North Wales.