Drug dealer jailed after stolen motorbike crash in Runcorn

Thomas Kehoe, from Prescot, was left unconscious after the collision with a car on Ringway Road, Runcorn, which saw the road closed in both directions and a large emergency service presence in attendance.

Investigations following the crash revealed that the 29-year-old was involved in the supply of illegal drugs.

He was arrested and charged with driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and driving whilst disqualified.

He also faced a charge of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine, in relation to an incident in Birmingham, and appeared before Chester Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced.

The court heard how Kehoe had a run-in with Police in the Midlands in February, when officers approached a white van he was driving.

He fled the scene on foot, with police recovering around 2kg of cocaine from under the passenger seat, valued at up to £60,000 and linked to the defendant through DNA.

Kehoe was caught at around 1.30pm on June 9, when he was involved in a crash with a grey Citroen DS4 while riding a white Yamaha motorcycle on Ringway Road.

The court heard how he was banned from driving, was uninsured and was not wearing a helmet when he crashed.

He was treated by paramedics and arrested when officers confirmed that the bike was stolen. He was remanded in custody, with police linking him to county lines drug dealing.

Thomas Kehoe was jailed at Chester Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Kehoe, of Latham Close in Prescot, pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing.

He was subsequently sentenced by recorder Mark Ainsworth to five years and four months in prison.

The defendant was also banned from driving for 12 months, while the court approved an order for the forfeiture and destruction of drugs and mobile phones seized by police.

Following the hearing, the sentence was welcomed by PC Phil Thomason, of the Regional County Lines Unit.

He said: “Kehoe is a prolific drugs offender who continues to show a clear disregard for the law and the communities that the law protects.

“At the time of the offence Kehoe was not only driving illegally, but operating a stolen vehicle.

“Throughout the incident, the manner of his driving was reckless and abhorrent, and it was only by sheer chance that nobody was killed or seriously injured because of his actions.

“The sentence handed to him reflects the severity of his actions. He is clearly a dangerous individual and he is now being held accountable for his actions.

“I hope this case reassures communities that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle this type of criminality.

“I also hope this sentencing demonstrates to other criminals trying to operate here that Cheshire remains a hostile environment and will not be targeted.”