A DRUG dealer who used his bike to sell illegal substances has seen it confiscated and destroyed by police after being caught in the act.

Andrew Matthews, from Orford, was detained by officers who witnessed him involved in a drug transaction, after launching his bike at them in an attempt to evade arrest.

The 51-year-old was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He appeared for sentence at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, where he was told he has a ‘disaster of a life’ and that the only appropriate sentence was immediate imprisonment.

Matthews was joined in the dock by a 16-year-old co-defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons and is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Katie Appleton, prosecuting, explained how on October 13 last year, officers were on duty in an unmarked police car when they saw a known drug user approach the two defendants and a drug transaction take place.

Officers tried to detain Matthews as he cycled towards Cotswold Road in Orford. He threw his bike at them but was eventually detained through the use of incapacitant spray.

The then 15-year-old co-defendant made off and was arrested on Ulverston Avenue, where he resisted arrest and left officers with cuts and bruises.

A total of five mobile phones were recovered from both defendants, as well as £1,170.70 in cash and a quantity of drugs.

Matthews was also found to be in possession of a yellow box cutter, while a search conducted at his Ulverston Avenue home found more drugs.

An examination of the mobile phones showed call logs containing phone numbers associated with county lines drug dealing, as well as flare text messages advertising drugs for sale.

In total, drugs with a street value of around £3,000 were recovered, including £2,280 worth of crack cocaine and £720 worth of heroin.

Andrew Matthews was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

Andrew Matthews was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

During his police interview, Matthews said the drugs found in his possession were for personal use rather than for sale, which he bought 20 minutes prior to his arrest, and that he smoked drugs every day.

Ms Appleton revealed that Matthews had 38 previous convictions for 84 offences, dating from 1988 to 2019, with one previous for possession with intent to supply drugs.

In his client’s defence, Michael Scholes spoke of his long history of drug addiction and alcohol abuse and how Matthews had been exploited after building up a debt to county lines drug dealers, who effectively used him as ‘cannon fodder’.

“His life is a disaster, and he has been trying very belatedly to salvage something out of the wreck of the last few years,” he said.

Mr Scholes added that while in HM Prison Altcourse, his client had been getting help and support, albeit limited due to the pandemic, and asked for full credit for his guilty pleas.

Before sentencing, judge Clement Goldstone said: “You have a disaster of a life.

“You have a bad record, but do not have a bad record for drug offending, certainly in recent years.

“Taking all matters into account, and in the hope that you continue to take advantage of the opportunities available to you while in custody, the shortest sentence I can pass in line with my public duty is one of 42 months.”

This was reduced to a total sentence of 28 months in prison after a deduction of credit for his guilty pleas.

Judge Goldstone approved an order for the forfeiture of the £1,170.70 in cash, which will be donated to Evolve, a charity tackling substance abuse in the community.

An order was also approved for the forfeiture and destruction of the five mobile phones, the two bikes used by both defendants to deal drugs, the drugs recovered, the box cutter and any other drug paraphernalia seized by officers.