A drunken drug dealer who was involved in a police pursuit, reaching speeds of 50mph through Warrington in a residential area, has been jailed for more than five years.
Jay Rushton aged 27 appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence for a string of drug and driving offences, yesterday, Thursday.
Shannon Stewart, prosecuting, said that police officers decided to give chase after they saw a speeding Ford Transit van in Hawley’s Lane in Dallam, Warrington, at 3.40 am on March 29.
The vehicle, which did not have lights on, crossed onto Long Lane and was travelling at 50 mph through a 30 mph residential area and on Fisher Avenue in Orford the police activated their emergency equipment.
It did not stop but after going down the wrong side of the carriageway came to halt due to bollards, said Ms Stewart.
One man got out of the passenger’s side and ran off and the driver, Rushton, also ran off but was chased and detained. Inquiries revealed he had no licence as he had previously had a provisional licence which had been revoked.
The vehicle was searched and cannabis and £2,200 cash were found along with two mobile phones. He was breathalysed and found to be almost twice over the drink driving limit with 64 micrograms of alcohol in 100 mill of breath.
When his home in Birchley Street, St Helens, was search,d officers found 134 grams of amphetamine, 250 MNDA tablets, 87 grams of MNDA powder, ketamine, THC oil, a drugs press, an extendable baton and vape fuel. They also found jars of pills, powder and liquid.
Ms Stewart said that the drugs had a total potential street value of up to £9,505.
When interviewed Rushton would not say who had been the driver but said he had been helping out picking up bikes to sell. He denied he had been the driver and had just moved over to press the brake after the driver ran off. He also claimed that the money was inheritance cash.
Rushton pleaded guilty to possessing MNDA and cannabis with intent; possessing amphetamine; possessing criminal behaviour, the cash; driving dangerously, without a licence, insurance and with excess alcohol and possessing an offensive weapon, the baton.
The court heard that although almost 30 grams of ketamine had been found, he had not been charged with an offence relating to that drug.
Fiona McNeill, defending, said that Rushton was “a young man with a cannabis habit. He became involved with more serious drug offending in order to assist others but accepts he became involved in the onward supply of drugs but was more a foot soldier than anything.
“It is to be hoped that with growing maturity he will turn his back on this type of offending. His driving was bad but not as bad as some.”
His mum had sadly suffered a stroke and was wheelchair bound and Rushton had been providing her with day-to-day care but was now no longer able to do so. “His fault entirely,” said Miss McNeill.
His activities had also broken his sister’s heart.
Judge Ian Harris told Rushton that was revealed in a letter from his sibling speaking in his favour.
“What a shame you did not think of that when you embarked on your drug dealing enterprise.
“However it is your choice and you are to be sentenced for serious matters.”
Judge Harris jailed Rushton, who appeared via video link, for five years and three months and banned him from driving for seven years, six months.
