Teenage drug dealer who raced through Peterborough streets to escape police jailed

Thomas Hill, 18, was arrested by neighbourhood policing officers in Dogsthorpe on 31 March last year (2020) after being found with class A and B drugs on him, as well as more than £1,000 in cash.

He was bailed while further inquiries took place but came to police attention several times over the following months for various drug and driving offences.

On 10 August, Hill was arrested again in Peterborough after road policing officers spotted a grey Skoda reported to have been involved in a suspected drug deal.

The officers signalled for the Skoda, being driven by Hill, to pull over, however Hill reversed and made off.

He exceeded the speed limit, reaching up to 70mph in a 30 zone at one point, narrowly avoided colliding with a cyclist, drove into oncoming traffic, forced other vehicles out of his path and drove through red traffic lights.

Eventually coming to a stop, Hill ran off from the car in Garton End Road but was found in the back garden of a house in Waterloo Road by neighbourhood policing officers. Hill was in possession of cannabis and had taken the Skoda without the owner’s consent.

He was again bailed while further inquiries took place, but arrested again on 19 October by road policing officers following a pursuit which ended in Lincolnshire.

Hill was spotted acting suspiciously at the BP garage in St John’s Street, Eastgate, therefore officers followed the Volkswagen Sharon he was driving into Princess Street, and signalled for him to pull over.

As an officer approached the car, Hill sped off, leading to a pursuit on the A16 into Lincolnshire, reaching speeds of 90mph.

Hill drove through two red lights and, when on Pinchbeck Road, straddled a double white line into oncoming traffic.

Officers used a stinger to stop the vehicle, however Hill decamped and made off on foot, running through a field but was tracked down with the assistance of a Lincolnshire Police dog and a police helicopter.

A JD Sports bag was located which Hill had thrown whilst running from officers, it was found to contain about £455 worth of cannabis.

The following day, he was charged with dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply cannabis, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified, which he admitted in court and was remanded in custody.

Earlier this year (2021), Hill was charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs relating to his arrest on 31 March last year.

He was also charged with possession of cannabis, failing to stop when directed to do so by police, driving without insurance, dangerous driving, driving without a licence and aggravated vehicle taking, relating to his arrest on 10 August last year.

Hill, of Casterton Road in Stamford, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court today (Monday 19 April) where he was sentenced to a total of three years in a Young Offender Institution.

DC Paul Baxter, who investigated, said: “Hill was already on a driving ban and had been convicted of possession of cannabis, drug driving and driving without a licence back in September last year following his arrest at the end of 2019.

“His manner of driving is disgraceful, how no one was seriously injured as a result of his actions is a miracle. He clearly thought he was above the law and continued his ways despite being under investigation for several drug and driving offences.

“At just 18 years old, Hill has now got a substantial criminal record. I just hope his time in detention will give him time to reflect on his life choices and he will make a change for the better once he is released.”