A drug-related court case has been described as an ’unmitigated disaster’ after delays due to the wait for forensic documents from the UK.

Ramsey men Michael Peter Gawne, aged 19, of Waterloo Road, and Matthew John George Williams, aged 18, of May Hill, are jointly charged with importing ecstasy to the island.

They have denied the offence.

The case had previously been adjourned while drug test results regarding the alleged ecstasy were awaited from the UK.

And on Tuesday prosecuting advocate Barry Swain said that the case had been an ’unmitigated disaster’.

Mr Swain said that, although the results had now been received, the UK forensic company had not sent a report with an original signature, which is required by Manx law but not by UK law.

He said that in the UK electronic documents counted as originals and the company was therefore not geared up for posting results.

Mr Swain said that it would now cost £200 for a signed copy to be sent by the company and that the drug testing process had already cost in excess of £4,000 excluding VAT.

The prosecutor said that there had also been a problem because not all statements received from police were original documents.

Mr Swain said that he would not oppose any bail requests.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander, representing Mr Williams, said that, while she sympathised with the prosecution, she would agree that the case had been an ’unmitigated disaster’ and that the officer in charge of the case had a great deal to answer for.

Ms Alexander said that her client had been charged on December 3 and that committal to the higher court had been due on February 2 but had still not happened.

The advocate opposed any adjournment saying there was ’no end in sight’.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes agreed with the description of the case and said: ’It doesn’t seem that Covid restrictions have provided an explanation in this case.’

The case was adjourned until May 6.

No bail requests were made.