Drug dealers who led police on hour-long high speed chase jailed

Police helicopters were used to track the pair down to a housing estate in Horley in July

Author: Cameron HallPublished 26th Oct 2023

Two drug dealers who were involved in an hour-long high speed chase have been jailed.

Police helicopters were used to track a Volkswagen Golf driven by Patrick McCabe, 28, of no fixed address, after it was spotted at a car wash in Copthorne on 12 July.

McCabe, who was disqualified from driving, drove dangerously at high speeds before being tracked to a housing estate in Horley.

He was shown jumping through people's gardens before being arrested by police.

A search of the car found a Gucci bag and a Versace bag containing cannabis, as well as a bank card under McCabe's name.

At Lewes Crown Court on 6 October, McCabe admitted to dangerous driving, possession of class B drugs with intent to supply, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without valid insurance.

He was sentenced to two years and five months in prison, and was given a new disqualification from driving of five years and four months.

The car's passenger, Ronnie Beckett, 19, of Stoneycroft Walk, Ifield, who also tried to flee, pled guilty to possession of class B drugs with intent to supply, breach of a suspended sentence order, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Ollie Pullen from Sussex Police's Specialist Enforcement Unit said:

“McCabe’s driving was appalling, he showed no regard for his own safety or the safety of other road users.

“This case demonstrates the great teamwork and professionalism by officers across the force to ensure that both offenders were caught.

“We are determined to prevent criminals exploiting the road networks for serious criminality.

“Officers will continue to disrupt the supply of drugs which cause so much harm in our communities.”