A SERVING Merseyside police officer has appeared in court charged with possessing and intending to supply drugs.

PC Sayful Islam, from Cranborne Road, Wavertree, pleaded not guilty to possessing nearly one kilogramme of cannabis and intending to supply it at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Dale Street yesterday.

Dressed casually, Islam spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea at the morning hearing.

He was arrested on September 6 after Cheshire Police stopped him on the M6 as he drove back to Liverpool from Birmingham, allegedly finding the drugs in his boot.

He was bailed to reappear at a police station on Thursday when he was charged with the offences.

It is alleged that after Islam’s trip from Liverpool to Walsall in the Midlands he not only had the drugs in his possession but was also intent on carrying out a drugs deal.

District Judge Lowe decided the case was too serious to be heard by magistrates and sent it to Liverpool Crown Court. Addressing the defendant, he said: “My sentencing powers in this court would be insufficient in this court if you were to be found guilty, so I am sending it to Crown.”

He was granted conditional bail yesterday and must report to Wavertree police station once a week.

He also must surrender all his travel documents and agree not to contact witnesses.

Islam will next appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on November 28, when the case will be vacated to Crown Court.