Dad-of-two threw bag of drugs onto roof in police chase

A dad-of-two threw a bag full of Class A drugs onto a roof while running away from police officers pursuing him for driving offences.

Lee Thomas, 25, from Newport, admitted he panicked as he was chased into a dead end.

Sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, Recorder Peter Rouch QC said the defendant must have realised an immediate prison sentence was “inevitable”.

John Warren, prosecuting, said the defendant was caught on CCTV on November 23 driving a Vauxhall Mokka, which had been hired by someone else.

The bag he threw contained 57 Clingfilm wraps of cocaine and three of heroin, along with £610 in cash and the key to the hire car.

Officers also found his iPhone in the car, which contained messages relating to drug supply. Further drugs were discovered at his home in Tees Close in Newport, making a total of 40.24g of heroin and 29.38g of cocaine, worth more than £1,000.

Thomas admitted possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply, possessing cannabis, obstructing a police officer, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Jeffrey Jones, defending, said his client, who has a baby and a toddler, wanted to be able to support his young family.

The judge made an order for the cash to be forfeited and the drugs to be destroyed.

Thomas was jailed for a total of three years and six months and disqualified from driving for two years from the date he is released.