Dealer feared drug lords would shoot him

Jerome Lee has been jailed for more than five years after he was caught dealing Class A drugs in Laindon at the start of the year.

The 24-year-old, who has racked up numerous convictions throughout his life, was spotted riding a mountain bike and talking to a group of known drug users in the Laindon area on January 8.

Officers followed him after checking his identity against previous custody images, but he fled the scene.

However several hours later at 2pm he was spotted by other officers who were patrolling in plain clothes.

He initially tried to run from them but was caught shortly after.

During a search of his address in Mellow Purgess, Basildon, police found cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, plus weapons - including a “Rambo” style knife and cash.

In total £412 was recovered.

Lee was jailed at Basildon Crown Court yesterday. where he appeared via video link from Chelmsford prison.

Prosecuting, Mark Hunsley said: “He said ‘I do not want to go back to prison people have made me do things before’, ‘these people make me do it’, ‘they put a 22 to my head in prison’, ‘get my family out of the house or they will shoot it like before’.”

Mitigating, Chris Whitcombe said that Lee had been a drug addict for a number of years but was clean since he had been remanded in prison.

He said: “He wants to complete various training courses in building, painting and decorating.

“He made contact with his son.

“He wants to be a proper and supportive father to the child, but realises the length of the sentence he faces.”

Judge Andrew Hurst sentenced Lee to five years and eight months in prison.

Addressing him, he said: “There were three wraps of heroin and eight wraps of cocaine.

“You have a number of convictions including robbery and possessing offensive weapons.

“You made choices and your succumbed to the drugs supply again.

“It seems to me you have not made an effort to distance yourself from them.

“Those choices have led you straight back to custody.”