A DRUG dealer who hid illegal drugs in a plastic kinder egg as he made regular trips between Merseyside and Cheshire has been jailed.

John Inglesby was spotted on the A50 in Holmes Chapel and stopped by a police stinger.

The 38-year-old had been travelling in a grey Kia Ceed, a hire car, between the two counties on a regular basis, Chester Crown Court was told on Monday, February 5.

The case against him began after detectives from Crewe Pro-active CID became aware of a vehicle travelling through the county which was potentially transporting illegal drugs.

Knutsford Guardian: John Inglesby was jailed for six years and four monthsJohn Inglesby was jailed for six years and four months (Image: Cheshire Police)

The force Roads and Crime Unit was alerted to the vehicle and shortly after 10.20am on Friday, January 5, the car was spotted on the A50 in Holmes Chapel.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, and while Inglesby initially stopped, he subsequently drove onto the pavement and made off from the scene.

Knutsford Guardian: A police stinger was used to stop Inglesby after a chaseA police stinger was used to stop Inglesby after a chase (Image: Cheshire Police)

A pursuit was authorised, during which a police stinger was used, and the incident was quickly brought to a safe conclusion on Newcastle Road North, in Brereton.

Inglesby was immediately arrested and found to be in possession of a plastic Kinder egg containing individual wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, which had a street value of approximately £860.

Officers also recovered two mobile phones, once of which had been snapped in half.

Knutsford Guardian: Police chased Inglesby along the A50Police chased Inglesby along the A50 (Image: Cheshire Police)

Inglesby, of Mintor Road, Northwood, Kirby was jailed for six years and four months.

The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine), dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

Inglesby has also been banned from driving for four years and 10 months.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Williams, said: “I welcome the sentence handed to Inglesby and I hope that it acts as a warning to others who are planning to deal drugs in Cheshire.

“Inglesby was identified as a potential drug dealer thanks for work detectives from Crewe CID who worked in partnership with the Roads and Crime unit to catch him in the act.

“During the incident, Inglesby did all he could to evade officers, in his failed attempt to avoid justice.

“Thankfully, officers were quickly able to bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion and he was swiftly arrested and brought before the courts.

“While Inglesby is now behind bars, our campaign against drug dealers is ongoing and we’re committed to doing all we can to can to stop drug activity on the streets of Cheshire and make the county a hostile place for criminals.”