Two drug dealers who fled from a taxi pulled over by police were caught after one hid under a trampoline and the other concealed himself in a stream. Mackenzie Holmes and Ethan Hannon turned to selling drugs after falling into debt through their own addictions.
Police Stop Leads to Arrests
Teesside Crown Court heard that on June 20, 2025, at 10.15pm, officers stopped a Peugeot on the A19. The driver, Holmes, was searched and a black Nokia phone was recovered from his underwear. He was also found carrying crack cocaine with an estimated street value of £1,020.
Holmes, who had no prior convictions, was interviewed and released on police bail. Analysis of his phone later revealed messages relating to drug dealing, including cannabis.
Second Arrest and Discovery
On February 16, shortly after midnight, officers on patrol in the Thorntree area spotted two men climbing into a taxi. When officers signalled for the vehicle to stop, Hannon bolted from the rear door. He was tracked down to a nearby stream with the assistance of a police drone.
Officers discovered £399.21 in cash along with cocaine in his jacket pocket, prompting him to tell the officer: "I was just cutting it up for someone." Holmes initially spoke to officers beside the taxi before making a run for it. He was subsequently found concealed underneath a trampoline.
Properties belonging to both men were searched, uncovering further quantities of drugs and cash. Throughout the investigation, officers established that both defendants had been in possession of thousands of pounds worth of controlled substances. A knuckle duster belonging to Holmes was also recovered.
Third Arrest and Court Proceedings
Having already faced arrest on two previous occasions, Holmes was apprehended for a third time after he was spotted entering the front garden of a property on Green Lane, in Middlesbrough, on the afternoon of March 31. Prosecutor Joe Culley told the court: "He was told by an officer to stop but made off on foot leading to a short pursuit."
Holmes informed officers that he was carrying a bag of cocaine in his pocket, insisting it was for personal use. However, upon searching him, police found two bags of cocaine, estimated to be two £20 deals, along with £895 in cash. Holmes claimed the cash was his because "I buy and sell stuff," asserting that he had sold a bicycle and purchased another through Facebook marketplace.
Drug Debts and Mitigation
Defending, Robert Mochrie said: "This is not only [Holmes'] first offence but his first period in custody. He has got himself straightened out. He is now no longer using drugs. He never wants to see the inside of a prison cell again."
Mr Mochrie stated that Holmes was "ripe for manipulation by others" intent on dealing drugs. He explained that Holmes' relatives had previously settled outstanding drug debts, but unable to overcome his addiction, the 21-year-old accumulated further debt and resorted to dealing drugs in order to repay what he owed. The two subsequent offences committed by Holmes occurred while he was on police bail.
Dan Wilberforce, representing Hannon in mitigation, stated that the 22-year-old had entered a basis of plea acknowledging his involvement over 45 days, during which he was transporting and preparing packages, and had never directly dealt drugs. He explained that Hannon's cocaine use had "spiralled" and deteriorated after he was made redundant, leaving him "living a lifestyle he could no longer afford and he incurred debts."
Mr Wilberforce added that Hannon is "incredibly remorseful" and that a number of character references had been submitted on his behalf. He had previously worked in the scaffolding industry.
Sentences Handed Down
Hannon, of Hershall Drive, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and crack cocaine, as well as acquiring criminal property totalling £3,000. Holmes, of Greenway, admitted the following offences: concerned in the supply of class B cannabis, supply of class A cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to supply class A crack cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to supply class A cocaine, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, namely a knuckle duster.
Holmes, who appeared via video link from prison, received a sentence of four years and six months in custody. He will serve half of that term. Hannon was handed an 18-month sentence suspended for two years. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and one-to-one supervision with probation.
