Leeds drug dealer rammed police car

Llwellyn Mitcham panicked after being blocked in by officers who followed him along Grafton Street in the Lovell Park area of the city.

Leeds Crown Court heard officers got out and approached Mitcham’s car and he put his vehicle into reverse.

Mitcham rammed the police car five times but then abandoned his vehicle when he could not escape.

Mitcham threw away a mobile phone as he ran off but was caught by the officers. He was carrying a bag which was found to contain 19 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine worth around £240.

Mitcham was also found in possession of £307 in cash which was seized from him under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Two more mobile phones were found in his car and were found to contain text messages relating to drug dealing.

Mitcham, 25, of Westfield Crescent, Burley, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and dangerous driving.

At the time of the offence Mitcham was on police bail after being arrested for breaching a community order.

Genan Hashim, mitigating, said Mitcham agreed to become involved in drug dealing after getting into financial difficulties.

She said it was the first time the father-of-two would be going to prison.

Miss Hashim said: “He clearly has a work ethic and a motivation to change.”

Judge Christopher Batty jailed Mitcham for two years, nine months.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years, three months.

Detective Inspector Jaz Khan, of Leeds District Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Mitcham was clearly someone involved in the organised supply of drugs and was desperate to escape the officers who eventually detained him.

“Class A drugs like those he was caught with do enormous damage to individuals and in our communities where they fuel crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Will hope people will be reassured to see another drug dealer taken off the streets and will continue to pass on information that will help us to keep targeting those involved in drugs crime.”