Skegness drug dealer jailed after going on the run
A Skegness drug dealer who went on the run after failing to attend court has finally been jailed for six years and seven months.
Connor Stewart, 23, was circulated as wanted by Lincolnshire Police in February after he did not turn up at Lincoln Crown Court.
Stewart, of Lincoln Road, Skegness, had admitted conspiring to supply both heroin and crack-cocaine in the resort.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Stewart was arrested after taking over a Class A drugs line which was set up by Grimsby based Joel Tasker, 31.
Tasker created the drug-dealing operation known as the 'Scouse line' which ran from April 1, 2022 to March 30, 2023, and was jailed for 12 years earlier this year.
Heroin and crack cocaine was advertised and supplied to users in Skegness on 362 days during that period, the court was told.
A prosecution drugs expert estimated there were transactions involving 844 grams of heroin and 591 grams of crack cocaine.
The court heard Tasker was the "creator" of the line but worked alongside Stewart who took over the Skegness end of the operation and was responsible for sourcing, supplying, preparing and washing the crack-cocaine.
In mitigation the court heard Stewart was only 19 at the time of the offending and had a difficult upbringing.
The court was told Stewart had been living in Nottingham during his time on the run and had saved a woman's life.
Stewart was arrested in early September and remanded into custody. He later pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to surrender.
Passing sentence on Thursday, December 4, Judge Simon Hirst told Stewart he was at the "centre of the conspiracy."
"At its height the supply line operated on a daily basis," Judge Hirst explained.
"You recruited others to run the line and at times exerted intimidation."