A BEMUSED judge asked a barrister if his client wanted to stay in a penthouse suite after the defendant revealed his fear of heading to prison.

Stephen Ford, of Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, has admitted conspiring to supply cocaine between April 2021 and July this year.

During a hearing at Ipswich Crown Court, his barrister said he didn’t turn up to court due to his concern about being sent to prison.

Judge Martyn Levett dismissed the claim and condemned Ford, 32, for not turning up.

He joked: “I didn’t realise we are the Premier Inn. Does he want the penthouse suite?

“I hadn’t realised we had wandered into that accommodation these days.”