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A disqualified driver has been jailed after he was caught driving a car while in possession of more than £2,000 worth of drugs.

Richard Haynes, 34, of Forsythia Close, Ty Sign, Risca, was arrested on Saturday July 12, after being pursued by Gwent Police and the National Police Air Service.

His car was followed to Blackwood Bus Station. From there, Haynes ran away from officers towards Blackwood High Street before he was arrested on suspicion of driving while being disqualified.

Police found cannabis, cocaine, and crack cocaine in his car, and he was further arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences.

He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday September 23 after pleading guilty to four charges. These include driving while disqualified and without insurance, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and possession of class B drugs.

He was jailed for three years and two months.

Officer in the case, PC Thomas Meazey, said: “We are determined to tackle the supply of illicit drugs and are committed to protecting our communities from drug supply and its associated crimes.

“Our road policing officers, working alongside NPAS, not only took an uninsured and potentially dangerous driver off the roads of Gwent but helped our Serious Organised Crime (SOC) officers put someone whose criminal activity causes harm to our communities in front of the courts.

“We welcome the sentence imposed on Haynes and hope that it serves as a deterrent to anyone considering getting involved in criminal activity.”