Newport drug dealer jailed for 9 years after police chase
The 32-year-old was being chased after police were tipped off the disqualified driver was travelling in a vehicle which had cloned plates.
Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court that Thomas fled after the crash on May 22 but was soon found and arrested.
The defendant was found with multiple wraps of heroin and crack cocaine as well as £465 cash.
He was also being sentenced for trafficking offences committed in 2022.
These related to the arrest of another drug dealer on Milland Road in Neath.
He was arrested carrying dozens of wraps of heroin and crack cocaine.
Thomas was linked to him by messages detectives found on a mobile phone and his DNA was found on the packages of class A drug.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins described the CPS' handling of this case as 'lamentable' after it took two years to charge him.
Thomas, of Tees Close, Bettws, Newport admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
These were his third and fourth convictions for trafficking class A drugs.
He was locked up in 40 months in 2017 and 35 months in 2020.
The defendant has 16 previous convictions for 32 offences.
His barrister Ross McQuillan-Johnson asked that his client be given the appropriate credit for his guilty pleas.
He also asked that the lengthy delay in bringing the Neath matter to court be taken into account.
Mr McQuillan-Johnson added that the majority of the defendant's crimes stemmed from his 'heavy reliance on drugs'.
Judge Jenkins told Thomas: 'You have an appalling record of previous convictions.
'You are no stranger to a prison cell.'
The defendant was jailed for five years and seven years for the Newport offences and a consecutive prison term of three years and seven years for the Neath matters.
That made a total custodial sentence of nine years and two months.
He was banned from driving for three years following his release and will have to sit an extended retest.
Thomas is also set to face a proceeds of crime hearing.
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