A Leicester drug-dealer who drove through red lights and the wrong way down one-way streets – before hiding in a bush – has been jailed.
Yesterday (Monday, April 11) Brett Smith was sentenced to a total of four years’ imprisonment for the incident, which happened on August 1 last year.
Officers from the force’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) found that his car, a Silver Vauxhall Astra was linked to the supply of drugs following an automatic number plate recognition hit.
They asked him to spot in Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester.
However, he decided to try and make an escape – at one point exceeding more than 100mph and weaving through traffic. He also drove through red lights and past no entry signs into one-way streets before eventually abandoning the car in Yew Tree Drive, Braunstone Frith.
Smith attempted to evade officers on foot, but was found hiding in a bush nearby and was arrested. When he was searched, two bags of heroin – with an estimated value of £1,100 – were found in his sock, along with more than £300 in cash and a list that appeared to be a record of drugs supplied on credit.
An eight-inch blade was also found in the door pocket of the car. Upon arrest, Smith was found to also be over the drink-driving limit and banned from driving.
At a court hearing in August last year, the 31-year-old, of Beconsfield Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to: one count of possession of heroine with intent to supply, one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place, one count of dangerous driving and one count of driving whilst being over the prescribed limit.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of driving whilst disqualified.
Detective Constable Lara Gerrard was the investigating officer. She said: “Smith was involved in putting drugs onto our streets and I am grateful to my colleagues in the RPU whose quick-time actions led to his arrest.
“He has admitted his crimes and I hope the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland can take some relief that the force is continuing to crack down on the supply of drugs and that another criminal has been brought to justice.”
Sergeant Steve Jackson, from the RPU, was the officer who initially requested Smith to pull over. He added: “This is a shining example that criminals will do whatever it takes to evade arrest – and that we will do whatever is necessary in order to bring them to justice.
“The manner of Smith’s driving could’ve easily led to him facing more serious charges and I am pleased he is now serving time behind bars.”
On top of his four year sentence, Smith has also been disqualified from driving for three years and must sit an extended test in order to regain his licence.
