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Drug dealer who escaped police custody is jailed
05/01/2022
28-year-old Umar Bashir of Woodfield was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court
A Banbury drug dealer has been jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession of cocaine and escape of lawful custody. 28-year-old Umar Bashir of Woodfield was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday (January 4).
Bashir had escaped from police officers when they called at his address on November 16 as he was wanted on recall to prison. He answered the door and appeared to be compliant, but then pushed the officers apart and got away.
Just under two weeks later, on November 29, officers visited the Campernile Northampton hotel. Here they found Bashir’s partner outside. They located Bashir’s room but found him to be uncompliant and so a taser was used and he was arrested on suspicion of escaping lawful custody.
Inside the hotel room, class A drugs were on show within three green parcels and loose on the surface as well as other drug-dealing paraphernalia including cling film and electronic scales.
Bashir was then further arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences and he was charged in the early hours of 30 November.
The retrieved drugs, 83 wraps and a 10g lump, were analysed and identified to be crack cocaine, worth around £2,700.
PC Torran O’Dowda, of the Cherwell Local Policing Area Tasking Team, based at Bicester police station, said: “We will continue to target these offenders and will use a variety of tactics to ensure we are pursuing those that sit at the top of the drug line hierarchy who base themselves both within and outside the Thames Valley.
“Drug supply will not be tolerated by Thames Valley Police, and I hope that this length of sentence reflects the seriousness of this offending.
“Although actively trying to evade police, we will continue to focus our efforts on locating criminals who pursue this kind of criminality.
“Through Stronghold, we are committed to working in partnership to tackle serious organised crime and exploitation, such as county lines drug dealing.
“We continue to need the support of the public in this, and we would ask them to report any information that they have about drug dealing.
“This can be shared with Thames Valley Police on our website or by calling 101.
“You can also report information anonymously by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam