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Newport drug dealer crashed after high-speed police chase

Newport drug dealer crashed after high-speed police chase

Lee Thomas hit speeds of 91mph as he was pursued from Malpas Road in Newport on May 22. However he was caught after his Mercedes CLA ended up on its side on a country lane in Cwmbran.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins said Thomas had 'an appalling record of previous convictions', before adding: 'You are no stranger to a prison cell'.
The 32-year-old, of Tees Close in Bettws, was jailed for a total of nine years and two months.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Gwent Police were tipped off the disqualified driver was travelling in a vehicle which had cloned plates.
Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said Thomas fled the scene following the crash, but he was soon found and arrested.
The defendant was found with multiple wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, as well as £465 cash.
Drug dealer Lee Thomas has been jailed. (Image: Gwent Police) Thomas was also sentenced for drug trafficking offences from 2022.
Police arrested another drug dealer on Milland Road in Neath and found dozens of wraps of heroin and crack cocaine on him.
Analysis of his phone linked him to Thomas, and officers found his DNA on the packages of class A drug.
Judge Jenkins said it was 'lamentable' that it took the CPS two years to charge him.
Thomas pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
Lee Thomas led police on a high-speed chase. (Image: Gwent Police)
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'.
Police found multiple wraps of heroin and crack cocaine on him. (Image: Gwent Police)
Thomas was jailed for five years and seven months for the Newport offences and a consecutive prison term of three years and seven months for the Neath matters.
He was banned from driving for three years following his release and will have to sit an extended retest.
The prosecution confirmed he will also face a proceeds of crime hearing.
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