Drug dealer who dumped stash during chase jailed

Ardley Ward ran off after his car was forced to stop, but he was soon caught

A crack-cocaine dealer who tried to evade arrest by jettisoning a bin liner of drugs from his car window has been jailed.

Two police cars chased Ardley Wray on the A10 near Hauxton, Cambridgeshire, and officers had to deploy a stinger to puncture his tyres and bring his car to a stop.

The 59-year-old, of Bedivere Road, Bromley, Greater London, tried to escape on foot across a field but he was quickly caught.

Wray pleaded guilty at Cambridge Crown Court to one count of intent to supply cocaine and heroin, and was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison.

Police were tipped off that drug-dealing was taking place at a property in Hauxton in September 2022.

Wray was there for about 20 minutes, and officers followed him after he left and headed towards the A10.

When they signalled him to pull over, he made off, weaving between two police cars to escape.

During the chase, the officers saw him throw a bin liner out of his car window.

It was later found to contain £7,000-worth of crack cocaine, and the wraps inside matched those found on Wray when he was searched.

After the sentencing on Friday, Det Sgt Jonathan Lockwood, of Cambridgeshire Police, said: "Drugs are a scourge on our society and cause misery for so many in so many ways. I’m glad justice has been done today."