A ONE-time drug dealer learned about her court date in the pages of the Adver – as she’d moved out of her Penhill home raided by armed police.

Amanda Price had been due to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court yesterday for selling crack cocaine and heroin last year to an undercover officer known only as Steve.

The 44-year-old’s case was put back in January and a pre-sentence report was ordered. She failed to show up to her appointment with the probation officer commissioned to write that report.

Chris Smyth, for Price, said his client had not received the letter as she had moved out of her Inglesham Road home after police used a chainsaw to cut through her front door and other officers smashed their way in through the back. The house was still not secured.

“People have been at it. It’s not properly secured and therefore she’s been staying at an alternative address,” Mr Smyth said.

She had not received the letter from the probation service giving the date of her appointment and had only learned she was due at the crown court after reading of her case in the Adver.

Price had only dealt heroin and crack cocaine on one occasion, having been sent out the house by Sean Drayton, 46. He was jailed for more than four years in December.

Judge Paul Cook adjourned sentencing until March 10. Price was granted bail.