A county lines drugs dealer was left hanging in Gillingham after attempting to flee from police.

The 25-year-old had been spotted in the Aldi car park, near Balmoral Road near a Peugeot car in October last year and followed to James Street.

A police officer then three times shouted "Stop Police!" at Quamdeen Olanrewaju who then ran away ditching a bag and wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that as he ran away he tried to scale a fence, but was caught hanging when an officer grabbed his trailing leg.

Prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davies said after his arrest police then retrieved the bag which contained a starter pistol and £980 in cash.

She said that father-of-one Olanrewaju was part of a County Lines drugs network known as "Mark" and has previous convictions for drugs offences.

He was jailed for 54 months after admitting possessing the two Class A drugs with intent to supply, having an imitation firearm and a proceeds of crime offence, which related to the cash.

Joseph Davidson, defending, said Olanrewaju, from London, is trying to invent a mobile phone app for wedding planners and trying to rid himself of his addiction.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC told him: "You were caught red-handed dealing in drugs. You were found with a pistol, two mobile phones, and drugs.

"You have a drugs problem but it is encouraging to hear you are trying to tackle your addiction.

"But these are very serious offences because of the considerable harm drugs cause people."

The judge ordered confiscation of the cash and the destruction of the drugs and weapon. There will now be an inquiry under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

"We are committed to targeting those we believe are responsible for the misery and destruction of lives connected to these harmful substances..." - Detective Constable Stuart Clayton

DC Stuart Clayton, of Medway's operation raptor team said: "Olanrewaju was instrumental in a supply chain which was facilitated by mass marketing through the means of mobile phones and text messages. The end purpose of this chain was to sell heroin and cocaine to some of the most vulnerable people in our society, drugs which cause significant harm as well as the associated criminality which can blight our local communities.

"We are committed to targeting those we believe are responsible for the misery and destruction of lives connected to these harmful substances, but we also continue to need your help, so remember to report any suspicious behaviour.

"By continuing to work together we are getting the message through to criminals that ultimately we will ensure their actions result in prison sentences."

County lines drug dealing is a term used when drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs.

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