A drug dealer was caught driving the wrong way round a roundabout - months later he was caught driving dangerously AGAIN. Zach Trott, 26, was spotted in a silver Mercedes, which police already had suspicions was being used for drug dealing.
They followed the car into the Tesco car park in Salford on March 28 last year, activated their blues and twos and radioed for backup in an attempt to stop him. However, he managed to drive through some bollards and temporarily escape.
Trott, of Salford, drove round two roundabouts in the wrong direction and into oncoming traffic, he got up to speeds of 70 miles-per-hour in a 30 mile-per-hour zone and went through a series of red lights, Manchester Crown Court heard.
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The high speed pursuit ended on Bolton Road when Trott drove onto the wrong side of the road before getting out of the car and running away. There was a short chase before he was apprehended.
He was caught with a rucksack which contained 300 grams of cannabis split up into smaller deals, estimated to be worth around £3,400. He was also found with £500 in cash and a burner phone, prosecutor Juliet Berry said.
“The defendant was released under investigation whilst the drugs were sent off for analysis,” she said. His Nokia phone was also analysed, in which officers found messages indicating drug dealing and ‘flare messages’ which essentially ‘advertised the drugs for sale’.
Three months later, on June 20, officers were on duty on Worsley Road, in Eccles when they saw Trott driving a Ford Focus, and could smell cannabis coming from the car.
They activated their emergency equipment but he didn’t stop and another pursuit ensued. He was seen driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic and he went through a red traffic light.
“Officers deployed a stinger which caused the four tyres to deflate. Despite this fact, the defendant continued to drive for some distance but then suddenly came to a stop and he got out of the vehicle and ran away,” Ms Berry said.
He was carrying a rucksack, and following a search, officers found cannabis and a burner phone. There was a search of the car and drugs were found in that, and there was a search of his house, in which officers found a total of 3688 grams cannabis and £6,086 cash.
In dash-cam footage played to the court, Trott could be seen swerving into the opposite side of the road, going the wrong way round the roundabout and driving through multiple red lights.
Trott was said to have previous convictions for possession of cannabis and supplying the class B drug. Mitigating, Imran Khan said his client was remorseful and knows he disappointed himself and his family.
“His father said this isn’t the upbringing he gave his son and that he raised him to be a functioning and contributing member of society. He states he is not able to work as his head was a ‘complete mess’,” Mr Khan said.
He added that Trott had used cannabis but has since taken steps to address his drug use.
Trott, of Ellesmere Street, was jailed for two years and four months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class B drugs, possession of criminal property and dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for five years and 14 months.
As he was led down to the cells he shouted to his family sitting in the public gallery: “See you soon fellas.”
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