St Ives: Drug Dealer Jailed

18 January 2014, 06:48 | Updated: 18 January 2014, 06:51

A man has been jailed after being spotted doing a suspected drug deal near a school in St Ives.

Cambridgeshire Police say officers caught 21 year old Robert Booth after carrying out a warrant in Ramsey Road on November 4 last year, several days after he had run off after being challenged by an officer on patrol in the town.

An officer had spotted him carrying out a suspected drug deal near to St Ivo School on October 29. 

However when he tried to stop and search him, Booth assaulted him then ran off. 

His description was circulated and a PCSO named Booth as the suspect. 

He was traced to the house where he was arrested for the assault and escaping from custody, but officers also discovered 51 bags of cocaine, 28g cannabis and 13g ketamine. 

He admitted two counts of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, possessing a class B drug with intent to supply, possession of a class C drug, assault with intent to resist arrest and escaping from lawful custody. 

He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years at Peterborough Crown Court. 

PCSO Hannah Shepherd said: "This was great work by officers who recognised the description of Booth which led to his arrest and the discovery of the drugs.

We will not tolerate the use and supply of drugs, especially around schools where young children might be exposed to such criminality.

This sentence should send a strong message that offenders face a long spell behind bars."