Speeding Drug Dealer Busted After Mini Smash on Isle of Wight
Crash Lands Dealer in Hot Water
A drug dealer bragging about raking in thousands from cocaine sales on the Isle of Wight has been slammed with an 8-year jail sentence. Matthew Read, 29, of Ryde, was caught after crashing his Mini Cooper into a parked car in Shanklin on 6 October 2017.
Before the smash, Read was spotted tearing through Lake at speed and gave officers the slip when they tried to stop him. Cops caught up with him and his 32-year-old passenger, Patrick Rice from Ventnor, shortly after.
Knives, Pills, and Boastful Messages
Newport Crown Court heard that police found a Stanley knife on Rice and a bigger knife inside Read’s car. “Arresting officers located a quantity of pills in Read’s possession,” said DC Iain Robertson.
Digging deeper, cops uncovered texts on Read’s phone revealing he’d been peddling cocaine since November 2016. The messages talked about dealing kilos and ounces, boasting profits of £1,400 to £2,500 every few days.
Read even claimed to have £40,000 ready to buy more drugs.
Sentenced to Jail, Driver’s Ban, and Suspended Sentence
After a four-day trial, Read was found guilty of dangerous driving, possession of a bladed article, possession intended for supply of a class C drug, and involvement in cocaine supply.
He was jailed for eight years and hit with a 7-year driving ban.
Rice was convicted of carrying an offensive weapon and given a 7-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, plus 180 hours of unpaid work.
Police Vow to Crack Down
“We do not tolerate the supply of illegal drugs, and I hope Read’s sentence reassures the public that we will do our utmost to dismantle drug networks affecting our Island communities,” said DC Robertson.
