A TRIAL date has been set for a suspected cannabis farmer who is claiming to be a ‘modern slave’.

On December 27, officers were called to a property on Berkshire Drive in Woolston following intelligence reports of a cannabis grow.

On attendance, police reported a strong smell suspected to be the controlled class B drug cannabis, plants of which were found on entry into an address.

A suspect was arrested at the scene, and a man was charged with production of cannabis.

Thinh Bui, of no fixed address, made a first appearance before Chester Magistrates’ Court on December 29 in relation to the charge.

The particulars of the charge allege that the 19-year-old produced 164 cannabis plants.

Bui confirmed his personal details but did not enter a plea to the charge, and district judge John McGarva subsequently sent the case to the crown court.

The defendant appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday for a plea and trial preparation hearing, via video link from HM Prison Altcourse and assisted by a Vietnamese interpreter.

Here, his defence counsel, Jeremy Rawson informed the court how a previous plea hearing was adjourned to allow for the filing of Home Office documentation.

Bui entered a not guilty plea to the charge, with a trial date fixed for the week commencing June 17 and a mention hearing on May 24.

Before adjourning the hearing until then, judge Denis Watson said: “Your case is already listed for trial in the week commencing June 17.

“Because you claim you are a modern slave, there is a referral to the single competent authority.

“The authority has a number of cases to consider, and so it is difficult to predict when it will make its determination.

“Even when it makes it, it is not binding on any body, but it is informative.

“I am listing your case again on May 24. You will be present on a TV link. I hope by May 24 we will know what the single competent authority has decided.

“You will be remanded in custody until that date.”