Drug dealer jailed following collision in Runcorn

A drug dealer who was caught after crashing a stolen motorbike in Runcorn has been jailed.

Thomas Kehoe appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 12 August, where he was sentenced to five years and four months.

The 29-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and driving whilst disqualified following the collision in Runcorn.

Kehoe of Latham Close, Prescott, also admitted possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine) in relation to an incident in Birmingham.

He also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin) which related to county lines drugs dealing between Merseyside and Cheshire, which occurred between September 2021 to June 2022.

During the hearing, the court was told that Kehoe was riding a white Yamaha motorcycle which was involved in a collision with a grey Citroen DS4 on Ringway Road, Runcorn on Thursday 9 June.

Officers attended and found the motorbike had been stolen and Kehoe was arrested and remanded into custody.

Upon arrest, it was discovered Kehoe was wanted in relation to drugs offences in Birmingham and Merseyside.

PC Phil Thomason of the Regional County Lines Unit said: “Kehoe is a prolific drugs offender who continues to show a clear disregard for the law and the communities that the law protects.

“At the time of the offence, Kehoe was not only driving illegally but he was operating a stolen vehicle.

“Throughout the incident the manner of his driving was reckless and abhorrent, and it was only by sheer chance that nobody was killed or seriously injured because of his actions.

“The sentence handed to him today reflects the severity of his actions, he is clearly a dangerous individual and he is now being held accountable.

“I hope this case reassures communities that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle this type of criminality.

“I also hope this sentencing demonstrates to other criminals trying to operate here, that Cheshire remains a hostile environment and will not be targeted.”