A Thornton Heath drug dealer who led police on a pursuit more than 80 miles away from where he lived has been jailed.

On March 6, 2018 Barrington Laing, 20, of Woodville Road and 21-year-old Shaun Prendergast of Southwark tried to flee from police when they were spotted driving erratically in Margate that afternoon.

Kent Police pursued the car through a number of streets where Laing drove the wrong way at a roundabout.

The pair continued to travel at speed past oncoming traffic before colliding with a parked car.

Laing was taken to hospital as a precaution and whilst there tried to hide a large amount of cash under his mattress. Officers found the money and it was seized.

Prendergast had drugs along with a set of electronic scales in his jacket pocket. When the car was searched, more cash and four mobile phones were discovered.

Both men were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on July 4. Laing received a sentence of four years and four months in prison. Prendergast has been jailed for five years and five months. His sentence includes drugs offences he committed in Sussex.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Steve East said: "These two offenders knew they‘d broken the law and rather than face the consequences of their actions they put innocent lives at risk by driving dangerously to get away from officers.

"We worked closely with other forces during this investigation as Prendergast committed drugs offences in Sussex too.

"We will continue to make it hard for criminals to sell drugs in this county and will actively seek out people like Laing and Prendergast to ensure they are put before the courts.

"Anyone who suspects drug dealers are operating in their community is urged to report this by calling 101 so we can continue to keep Kent a safe place to live and show criminals there is no hiding place from the law."