A regional daily crime reporter is set to go on trial next month on a charge of possessing cocaine.

Raymond Brown, who is currently suspended from his role as crime reporter at the Cambridge News and companion website Cambridgeshire Live, faces a single count of possession of a class A drug.

Raymond, 59, of Victoria Road, Cambridge, previously pleaded not guilty to the charge at a hearing in February this year, instead electing to stand trial.

The charge dates back to September 20, 2018, and allegedly occurred in Cambridge, Cambridgshire Live reported.

Raymond had been due to appear at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court, pictured, on 3 July, but the case was adjourned and the trial is now set to take place at the same court on 12 August this year.

He has worked for the Cambridge News for the past 11 years and was shortlisted in the EDF Energy East of England Media Awards on several occasions.

He has previously worked for the Hertfordshire Mercury and as a showbiz reporter with World Entertainment News Network.

Reach plc, publisher of the News, has declined to comment further on the case.