Drug dealer hit 103mph fleeing police with £30k cocaine

A drug dealer reached speeds of 103mph during a police pursuit in Cwmbran because he and a colleague were in possession of more than £30,000 worth of crack cocaine before colliding with a council lorry and a parked car.

Luke Jones, 28, was driving a Volkswagen Touareg in Cwmbran on September 26 with Louis Hall, 26, in the passenger seat when they realised they were being pursued by a police car. Jones accelerated until he reached speeds of 103mph in his attempt to escape.

Newport Crown Court heard on Thursday that police also reached speeds exceeding 103mph in order to keep up with the defendants.

The pursuit came to an end when the Volkswagen collided with a council lorry and a parked car in Ton Road.

Despite the car being damaged, with bits and pieces hanging off, the defendants continued the pursuit before driving into a residential area.

Jones and Hall ditched the vehicle and ran off on foot but they were detained.

A search of the defendants revealed 44g of crack cocaine with a street value between £2,790 and £3,330.

A small amount of cannabis was also found, and Hall was found in possession of £13,034 in cash.

The defendants’ phones were seized and various messages were written in “coded language”.

Jones, of Newchurch Court, St Dials, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug, dangerous driving and fraudulently using a registration mark. He has previous convictions for wounding with intent and supplying class A drugs.

Hall, of Wainfelin Avenue, Wainfelin, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug and possession of criminal property. He has previous convictions for wounding with intent and conspiracy to rob.

Gareth Williams, representing Jones, said his client was placed into care at the age of 14 when his father was “given a life sentence and his mother moved back to Kent”. He is now in a stable relationship and has a two-year-old daughter.

Sol Hartley, representing Hall, said his client had a “highly disruptive childhood” and faces issues with homelessness.

Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: “You drove at grossly excessive speeds and after some outrageous driving you collided with a parked car.”

Jones was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. Hall was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment.