A MAN accused of carrying large quantities of cash and drugs after being arrested by officers who spotted a faulty brake light on his car, will stand trial in May.

Marc Proberts, of Godolphin Close, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today and denied the charges against him.

Mr Proberts was made to answer one count of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.

When arrested by officers, in Rowton Heath Way, Freshbrook, on January 5, it is said he was found carrying around half a kilo of cannabis with intent to supply.

He also denied a second count of possessing criminal property in around £10,000 cash, knowing or suspecting it to represent the proceeds of criminal activity.

Judge Peter Blair QC, presiding, set out a date for the trial, which is expected to last one and a half days.

“There is an arresting officer and the officer in the case, and it will be his account as to what was going on in relation to the items seized that day,” he said.

“In terms of prosecution witnesses PC Bracey who was at the scene is likely to be required. After arrest the defendant gave a statement and then no comment in interview so there are no substantial matters there. There will be a statement dealing with the weighing of the drugs and the counting of the cash.”

Alex Daymond, defending Mr Proberts, said, the 26-year-old has remained on conditional bail to live and sleep at his home in Godolphin Close, as well as an electronic tag to enforce a 16 hour curfew, from 6pm to 10am.

“This will be a straightforward case which will require two defence witnesses to deal with the issues of the cash,” he said.

“I suspect looking at the previous convictions there will be a bad character application made in due course. There is a condition of residence on his bail and he is being electronically monitored under a curfew from 6pm to 10am, and there may be a formal application to vary that in the near future.”

Judge Blair fixed a timetable for the trial and bailed Mr Proberts under the same conditions until 12 May.

“I am going to grant you conditional bail on the same terms as before, of residence conditions and a curfew,” he said.

“You will be tried for these offences on 12 May. If you do not come to court that day the trial may go ahead in your absence which would not assist with you making your defence.

“A warrant will be issued for your arrest and you would most likely end up in custody.”