Drugs gang knocked down police officer on A45 in Coventry

Three men were jailed but one man remains on the run after failing to show at court



A police officer was knocked down as a drugs gang tried to evade arrest on the A45 in Coventry.

Officers tried to stop a VW Golf and a Ford Transit on the dual carriageway as part of an intelligence-led operation.

The car was successfully brought to a halt, but the van sped off, knocking a police officer to the floor in the process.

A total of £15,000 in cash was seized from the car and cannabis skunk with a street value of £40,000 was recovered after it had been discarded from the van during the incident in November 2015.

Four men were arrested and charged following the incident, three of whom were sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on November 22.

Paul Anthony Dowman, 36, of Dandies Close, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was jailed for three years having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs and dangerous driving,

Levi Williams, 27, of Grafton Street, Lower Stoke, Coventry, was sentenced to 16 months in prison having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

Billy Steal, also known as Lee Richard Clarke, 44, of Carpenter Path, Brentwood, Essex, was sentenced to 23 months in prison have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs,

Luke Daniel Clarke, 22, of The Spires, Nuneaton - previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs, and possession of crack cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply in connection with a different incident in May 2016.

He failed to appear at court for sentencing and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Anyone with information that can help police locate Clarke can call Warwickshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Following the sentencing, lead investigator Detective Sergeant Richard Brown, from Warwickshire Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: "Our streets are much safer now these prolific drug dealers are behind bars.

"This was an intelligence led operation that has led to a dangerous drugs gang being taken off the streets and the public being protected from the harm caused by the trade in illegal substances."

Wanted Nuneaton drug dealer on the run in Spain



A wanted drug dealer from Nuneaton is believed to be on the run in Spain.

Luke Daniel Clarke, aged 22, of The Spires, Nuneaton, was due to appear at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday (November 22) to be sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

But he failed to turn up and now police believe he has fled to Spain.

He is a member of the gang that knocked down a police officer as they fled from cops on the A45 in Coventry.

Detective Sergeant Richard Brown said: "We believe Clarke has fled to Malaga or Marbella and we are working with the Spanish authorities to try and locate him and ensure he is returned to the UK so he can be sentenced.

"We're appealing for anyone who has family or friends who live in or are visiting Malaga or Marbella to share our appeal on social media in the hope that they can help us locate him."

Clarke was arrested and charged after the vehicle he was travelling in was stopped by officers and £15,000 in cash seized in November 2015.