Drug dealer drove car at pursuing police

Bolton Crown Court heard how wraps of heroin, crack cocaine and bags of cannabis were discovered after Theo Samuels crashed the vehicle into a fence.

Brian Berlyne, prosecuting, told Judge Graeme Smith that police spotted a silver Peugeot, driven by 20-year-old Samuels, on Chorley Old Road, Bolton just after 5pm on April 21 last year.

The car turned into a back alley where two men were. "They suspected, at that point, that the driver of the vehicle may have been involved in drug related activity," said Mr Berlyne.

But when their tried to stop the car, Samuels sped off. "He drove through a red traffic light causing other vehicles to brake to avoid a collision, he drove at high speed and he mounted a kerb," said Mr Berlyne.

During the pursuit, which lasted less than half a mile, Samuels drove, at high speed, straight at the police officers' car in John Brown Street.

"There was no collision but he mounted the kerb, lost control of the vehicle and collided with a fence," said Mr Berlyne.

Samuels tried to flee on foot and officers found nine wraps of heroin, eight wraps of crack cocaine and two bags of cannabis as well as £283 cash.

On a phone was a debtors list, including addresses of customers and messages asking him to supply drugs.

Samuels, of Lowndes Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Nicola Gatto, defending, said Samuels had a unhappy upbringing and was homeless when he was befriended by a man called Sam who sold him cannabis and offered him a place stay.

"Ultimately it was Sam who suggested that he could repay him by selling Class A drugs for him," said Miss Gatto, who added that Samuels owed £850.

"The vehicle that he was using on April 21 belonged to Sam."

Miss Gatto stressed that, since his arrest, Samuels has not reoffended.

As well as a 30 month prison sentence, Judge Smith banned Samuels from driving for 27 months, after which he will have to take an extended driving test.