Liam Ford, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil, has been jailed for three years after leading police on a dangerous chase on icy roads. He swerved onto the wrong side of the road while turning a corner, crashed, and then fled the scene with his passenger, Daniel Barnham.
Police pursuit on A465
Road policing officers on routine patrols in Merthyr Tydfil in January located a Seat Ibiza known to be involved in drug supply. They attempted to stop the car at a petrol station on the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road, but it sped away.
The pursuit lasted around 15 minutes before Ford lost control and crashed. Both Ford and Barnham jumped out and ran, but officers quickly found and arrested them.
Drugs and admissions
During his arrest, Ford said: "I'm under the influence of drug driving as well boss." He admitted taking cannabis and crack cocaine. A search found 25 wraps of heroin and 34 wraps of cocaine in two separate tubs. Barnham had mobile phones with drug-related messages.
Ford was also banned from driving at the time.
Sentences
Ford pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply both drugs, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
Barnham, 32, also from Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, cocaine, and heroin. He was sentenced to two years and eight months.
After sentencing, South Wales Police PC David Coles said: "Liam Ford clearly has a total disregard for the law and even when his licence was removed he decided that he was just going to get behind the wheel anyway. That kind of contempt for doing the right thing is what has now landed him with a spell in prison."
