Drug dealer jailed after pursuit in Swindon

• Swindon drug dealer jailed after police pursuit through Swindon
• Billy Livingstone, 22, jailed for three years and nine months following Project Optimise job
• The disqualified driver pleaded guilty to seven charges including possession with intent to supply heroin

A drug dealer who led officers on a pursuit through Swindon last summer has been jailed for more than three years.

Billy Livingstone, 22, of Stratton Road, Swindon, pleaded guilty to aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent, driving whilst disqualified, affray, possession with intent to supply heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of criminal property (£4175) and possession of cannabis.

He was sentenced on Thursday (06/01) at Swindon Crown Court to 3 years and 9 months imprisonment, further disqualified from driving for three years and 11 months, and a forfeiture order was also made for the criminal property.

On 23 June last year, Livingstone, a disqualified driver, was seen driving a hire vehicle, a black Mercedes A200, by officers on Oxford Road, Swindon.

Officers made an attempt to stop the vehicle on Corporation Street, however Livingstone mounted the pavement to avoid the stop and made off at speed.

He continued to drive in a dangerous manner, at one point going the wrong way down a one-way street to avoid officers and also stopping to threaten innocent members of the public.

The vehicle was found abandoned on Northampton Street and Livingstone was located a short distance away within The Merlin Pub on Drove Road, where he was arrested.

He was seen to have been in possession of an envelope containing £4,175, which was found behind seating in the pub before a search of his home address revealed just over 100 grams of heroin and a small quantity of cocaine and cannabis. 

Detective Inspector Angela Shipp, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “Billy Livingstone is an individual who has caused significant harm in the community through his criminality.

“His brazen behaviour in stopping to threaten two people whilst being pursued by police is reflective of his disregard for the law and the safety of innocent members of the public.

“The custodial sentence handed to Livingstone by the court is testament to the victims and witnesses of this case in assisting the police in this investigation.

“Members of our community should not be expected to tolerate despicable behaviour and mindless violence from individuals like Livingstone and it is clear that the court agrees that people who cause harm, supplying drugs and offering violence are best placed in prison.

“I would like to thank the investigation team and the officer in the case for their diligence in pursing this conviction and under Wiltshire Police’s Project Optimise, the Serious and Organised Crime Unit will continue to pursue criminals like Livingstone and ensure they are brought to justice.”

• If you suspect someone to be driving whilst disqualified or are concerned about drug dealing in your community, please report it to us on 101.