A Wiltshire man has been jailed for five years after he was found in possession of drugs following a police chase.

Sam Thomas, of Charles Street in Corsham, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on February 29 after pleading guilty to several offences.

This included dangerous driving, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, and possession of criminal property.

After Thomas ran from police last year, officers seized items including cash and phones from his vehicle.

Police say the pursuit began when they attempted to stop a white Audi A5 being driven by the 29-year-old on August 10, and the driver failed to stop.

The vehicle was travelling southbound towards Melksham and officers were concerned it was linked to drug dealing in the area.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Sam ThomasSam Thomas (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Thomas reached speeds of up to 100mph during the chase before decamping from the car when it began to smoke in Coach Road, Westbury.

A foot chase then took place before he was detained and arrested in Mays Drive.

During this pursuit Thomas was seen to discard several items in carrier bags.

A search found they contained Class A drugs.

Police then searched his home address and discovered drugs and paraphernalia, as well as designer clothing, shoes and a Rolex watch.

A storage unit used by Thomas at Bumpers Farm was also raided and around £5,000 in cash was found.

Officers also located a second Rolex watch worth £24,000, Apple watches, mobile phones and further designer clothing.

PC Ashton Schorah, of the Gang Violence Team, says the unit was being used as a front for drug dealing.

He added: “Thomas was using this storage lock up as a front for drug dealing, selling class A drugs to vulnerable people within our communities and purchasing expensive items with the proceeds of his criminality – items which many hard working, law abiding people could only dream of owning.

“This investigation involved extensive enquiries to illustrate the true scale of Thomas’ offending and it is positive news that a five-year prison sentence has been handed out.

“The Gang Violence Team is committed to targeting persistent offenders like Thomas who cause serious harm within our communities and I am pleased that we have been able to disrupt this supply of class A drugs.”

Thomas has also been slapped with a 54-month driving ban.