Former soldier caught dealing cocaine and monkey dust in Telford with knuckle-duster is jailed
A former soldier caught dealing cocaine and monkey dust in Telford has been jailed.
Shaun Harris, of Sutton Hill, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court after admitting a number of offences - involving three separate incidents.
The 34-year-old was twice caught by police operating out of other people's homes, before he was arrested after a dangerous incident where he rammed his car into a wall as he tried to escape being blocked in by police.
In total he admitted nine charges, including being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, possession of class B drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, handling stolen goods, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving with no insurance.
Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said that the first offences had been uncovered on April 24 last year when police visited a property at Brixton Road in Dawley.
The home was owned by another man, who had been marked as a potential 'cuckooing' victim - a practice where dealers take over the homes of vulnerable people to sell drugs.
While police were at the house Harris returned to the property.
He was searched and officers found a Kinder Egg container with five wraps of monkey dust inside.
Following the incident officers searched another property belonging to another man on Herbert Owen Drive in the town.
Ms Harris said that while there Harris was seen leaving by the back door to get in a taxi.
He was searched and officers found he was in possession of a number of identity documents belonging to the owner of the home.
A mobile phone in his possession was found to contain messages relating to the supply of drugs, including what the court was told were "bulk" texts sent to a number of potential customers.
The messages included terms such as "active", "you got anything mate?", "I've got three 20s left", and "gram for 40".
In an interview with police he admitted taking drugs but denied being an addict or having drug debts.
The court was told a further incident came on June 11 this year in Oakengates.
Dealer was spotted and pursued by police
Ms Harris said officers had noticed Harris driving a Honda Civic in the town at 9.50am, which they believed was heading towards the location of three known drug users.
They followed the car and switched on their blue lights, before parking across the front of Harris' vehicle in a car park to stop him escaping.
The court was told officers were repeatedly telling Harris to get out of the vehicle, but instead the defendant reversed the car at speed to evade the police, with the officers "closing the gap multiple times".
Ms Harris said that during the incident Harris reversed the car into wall, causing "danger" to the officers and the public.
Officers were unable to persuade Harris to stop and eventually had to smash the windows on the vehicle to get him out of the car.
When the car was searched officers found a knuckle-duster, five bags of white powder, four bags of white solid substance, and 11 bags and two pots of brown powder.
Other items found included digital scales, £136 in cash, a mobile phone described as "ringing repeatedly", two bottles of alcohol with security tags on, and a Boss watch.
In interview Harris told officers his actions had come after he had "panicked" knowing he had drugs in his possession.
The offences also put him in breach of a 12-month conditional discharge for possessing a class B drug.
Alexa Carrier, mitigating, said Harris had been a serving soldier who had suffered significant trauma from his time in the military, adding that he had struggled to readjust to civilian life.
She added that Harris had spent nine weeks on remand, and said the time in prison had "done him the world of good", and allowed him to get away from drugs.
She said Harris had also moved away from the area in an effort to turn his life around.
Judge Trevor Meegan, sentencing, said Harris had completed two tours of Afghanistan, adding: "To go from that to start dealing is some descent by any assessment."
Harris was jailed for four years, of which he will serve half before being released on licence.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing was also scheduled for December 22, and Harris was disqualified from driving for four years - to take into account the two years he will spend in prison.