Three men jailed for drug and driving offences

Three men have been jailed for a combined 13 years having been found guilty of drug and driving offences following a stop-and-search of a car in Stafford last year.

Callum Evans, 20, of Silkmore Lane, Stafford, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail (30 months) at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday (24 March) after being found guilty of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply class A drug - crack cocaine, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, using a motor vehicle on a road / public place without third party insurance and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence - endorsable offence.

Evans has also been banned from driving for three-years-and-three-months (39 months) and will be required to do an extended re-test.

Liam Holding, 27, of Burbank Burrow, Stafford, and Ryan Yuall, 23, of Oxford Gardens, Stafford, were also sentenced on the same day (24 March) at Stafford Crown Court.

Holding has been sentenced to six-years-and-four-months in prison having been found guilty of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. Holding had pleaded not guilty at a hearing on 30 June 2021.

Yuall has been sentenced to four-years-and three-months (51 months) in jail having been found guilty of concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. Yuall also pleaded not guilty to both offences at a hearing on 30 June 2021.

The court heard how officers stopped a Toyota Hybrid on Oxford Gardens, Stafford, at around 3.20pm on 21 May 2021.

Officers had also witnessed the Hybrid being driven dangerously by a man on Prospect Road, Stafford, on the same day.

Officers found and recovered cannabis from the centre console of the car.

Two male passengers were also found to be in possession of class A drugs.

The driver and the two passengers were arrested a short time later for driving and drug offences.

All three were subsequently charged with the offences.

Speaking following sentencing, Sergeant Thomas Fotherby of Staffordshire Police, said: “I am pleased that all three were found guilty and that the judge saw fit to deliver a custodial sentence.

“We will continue to do all we can to disrupt the drugs supply in Stafford and protect residents from the impact of this criminality.”