String of Doncaster drug dealers are jailed after police blitz

A string of Doncaster drug dealers have been jailed for more than 10 years following dedicated work from South Yorkshire Police’s neighbourhood policing team.

Fleeing officers, running away and hiding in an underground carpark were just some of the ways that the dealers tried to evade officers.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Drugs harm our communities and exploit those most vulnerable.

“Working in a neighbourhood policing team, are our officers know their areas, know their communities and act on intelligence given to them from local residents.”

While on patrol on 27 March, Thomas Miller, 34, of no fixed address fled officers into an underground carpark on Cleveland Street after running away from officers on patrol.

Miller tried his efforts at hiding behind a car, but he was quickly detained and found in possession of cash, drug paraphernalia and a large bag of Class A drugs.

He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 7 October to four years imprisonment.

On 29 June, while carrying proactive patrols on Grey Friars Road following intelligence that the area was being used for drug supply, officers witnessed Lorcan Overson, 37 of no fixed address with two known vulnerable people.

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He ran from officers and after a short foot pursuit was found with Class A drugs, cash, and a mobile phone suspected of being used to run drug deals.

He was arrested, charged and sentenced on 9 October at Sheffield Crown Court to two years and four months in prison.

Over the summer, the team’s dedication continued and on 7 July, Kian Ward, 19 of no fixed address was seen riding an electric scooter in the Town Field area, and when officers have caught up with him for a chat, he attempted to flee, dropping his drugs, cash and mobile phone.

He appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on 1 October and was sentenced to 22 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

The team’s efforts continued and on 23 September, two officers were on duty in the Wheatley area following reports of on-going issues with drug use and supply.

Officers witnessed groups of people congregating around an alleyway, during which they spotted Joseph Smith, 29 of Elizabeth Avenue, who immediately began to run, and officers took chase.

They chased Smith into a nearby property where he was found attempting to hide in a bedroom, he was arrested and found with cash, and drugs

He appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on 9 October and was jailed to three years and four months in prison.

Sergeant Steve Roberts from the Doncaster Central NPT said: “Drugs and those who supply them are a blight on our communities. They cause premature death and perpetuate the commission of other crime types.

“I am pleased that another string of drug dealers is off the streets, and I hope that this result sends a clear message to anyone else who thinks they are above the law that they will be caught and brought to justice.

“If you suspect drug dealing is happening near where you live, report it to us. Your information could lead to a harmful offenders being taken off the streets.”

You can contact police by calling 101. If you'd prefer to remain anonymous, you can report to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is a completely confidential service, and you will not be identified.